Jim Jordan’s Shocking Lack of Legislative Accomplishments

Congressman Jim Jordan has always been a controversial figure in U.S. politics. Despite his often outspoken nature and fiery rhetoric, his track record when it comes to legislative achievements has been surprisingly thin. Jordan’s most noteworthy legislative accomplishment is the passage of the India-U.S. Nuclear Cooperation Agreement in 2008, which allowed India to access international nuclear fuel and technology, potentially unbinding New Delhi from its decades of isolation from the world nuclear community. But aside from this one success, Jordan has been largely unable to pass meaningful legislation through the house or senate. This could be attributed to his preference for ideological debate rather than compromise and his abrasive style of politics. Jordan is often described as a firebrand, a label that might be more appropriately used to describe his polarizing rhetoric than his ability to propagate legislative change. Jordan’s legislative record is also mired in allegations of inaction or slow reaction in response to legal matters that involved his office. In 2019, Jordan was accused of disregarding allegations of sexual abuse by members of the Ohio State wrestling team that Jordan once coached — allegations that date back to the 1990s. The case was ultimately settled out of court, but it highlighted Jordan’s inability to deal with issues in a timely or proactive manner. Although some of Jordan’s supporters credit him with being a fierce fighter for conservative causes, the reality is that he has largely failed in his efforts to pass meaningful legislation or enact change through the legislative process. Despite some successes in foreign policy, Jim Jordan’s legislative track record is remarkably thin by any measure.