New Speaker Mike Johnson projects unity after 3 weeks of chaos, expects 'aggressive' House schedule

Jordan met with Scalise behind closed doors on Tuesday and asked for help to get the needed votes, a source told ABC News Senior Congressional Correspondent Rachel Scott. The source says Scalise wouldn't commit to helping Jordan.

Scalise was the conference's first choice for speaker in an internal contest last week, as he defeated Jordan 113-99. But he dropped out days later, amid opposition from holdouts who were backing Jordan.

Of the 20 Republicans who voted against Jordan in the first round, seven voted for Scalise.

Scalise cast his vote for Jordan.

ABC News asked House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries if he sees Republicans forging a way out of the speakership impasse today.

"It's not a complicated situation," Jeffries responded. "We just need traditional Republicans to break from the extremists and join us in finding a bipartisan path forward. We've said it over and over and over again. We are ready, willing and able to get together and reopen the House."

ABC News caught Jordan moments after he left the House chamber. He made it clear that he's staying in the race for speaker, insisting there will be another vote tonight.

"We thought we were doing well ... that we were in that area or a little more maybe, but we feel confident. We already talked to some members who are going to vote with us on the second ballot," Jordan said as he rushed into an office.

-ABC's Rachel Scott, Lauren Peller, Arthur Jones and John Parkinson

ABC News Political Director Rick Klein and ABC News Deputy Political Director Averi Harper appeared on ABC News Live to discuss what's next after Jordan's failed first bid for the speakership.

Klein said Republicans have a choice to make: hold another round of voting and hope holdouts move toward Jordan, try to draft another candidate who may be able to unite the party or find an "exit ramp" that allows the business of the House to continue under the speaker pro tempore.

Watch their analysis of the speaker race below.

5:21

What happens if Jim Jordan wins the House speakership? ABC News’ Rick Klein and Aver Harper discuss the possible political fallout and policy priorities of Jim Jordan if he becomes House speaker.

ABCNews.com