Electing Jordan, a founding member of the Freedom Caucus, to the powerful position second in line to the presidency would move the Republican’s far right into a central seat of U.S. power.

After hours of private meetings over two days and late into Thursday evening at the Capitol, it was clear lawmakers were not budging from their refusal to support the Louisiana Republican.

McCarthy told lawmakers he would not run again for speaker, and next steps are highly uncertain as there is no obvious successor to lead the House Republican majority.