Conservative lawmaker insists GOP can win shutdown fight

An influential House Republican said Thursday that the GOP could win the government shutdown fight with the White House if party leaders adopt the right tactics.

Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) acknowledged that the GOP was largely blamed for the 2013 shutdown, but he said history doesn’t have to repeat itself this year.

{mosads}Two years ago, conservatives targeted ObamaCare funding. Now, they are focused on Planned Parenthood in the wake of a series of undercover videos that focused on the healthcare group’s fetal tissue donation program.

In an interview for C-SPAN’s “Newsmakers,” Jordan stressed that many conservative lawmakers will not vote for any spending bill that funds Planned Parenthood.

The organization “should not get another dime [of taxpayer money],” Jordan said.

Republicans should adopt the “common sense, logical position” of taking the same amount of money that would have gone to Planned Parenthood and directing it elsewhere, he said.

If the White House and Democrats insist that Planned Parenthood gets that money, “they’ll have to defend that position to the American people,” he added.

The tactics the GOP employs in the days ahead are crucial, according to the five-term lawmaker.

“We just need to make that case in a compelling, repetitive way, over and over again, so the American people clearly understand what’s at stake here.”

Jordan, 51, didn’t answer several questions on his political future the future of Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio). Instead, he emphasized the many policy battles this fall, including the Iran nuclear deal, the debt limit, the Export-Import Bank and the clash over government funding.

If Congress and the White House cannot agree on a broad spending bill by the end of the month, the government will shutter on Oct. 1.

Jordan also addressed the controversy over Hillary Clinton’s emails and her use of a private server while secretary of State.

Jordan noted that Bryan Pagliano, Clinton’s staffer who maintained her private server, has invoked his Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination before the House panel that is investigating the 2012 Benghazi attacks.

Jordan said, “What’s the tech guy doing taking the Fifth? He’s the tech guy. His job is to set up the server. What criminal exposure, criminal liability, could he really have if he’s just the tech guy? That makes no sense.”

Pressed on whether Pagliano will be given an immunity deal, Jordan said that Republicans are discussing that option.

Shifting to the controversy over the IRS’s targeting of political groups, many of which were conservative, Jordan claimed that that tax agency’s commissioner, John Koskinen, had lied to Congress. Jordan expects Republicans will pass an impeachment motion. “We think he should be impeached,” he said. “We are pushing for it. … We think it will happen.”

Regarding the battle for the White House, Jordan, who heads the conservative House Freedom Caucus, suggested he would not endorse a candidate during the GOP primary. 

He praised the Republican field, including his home-state colleague, Ohio Gov. John Kasich. But he stressed he would simply back whichever Republican wins the nomination.

The “Newsmakers” interview will air on C-SPAN at 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. on Sunday.