AMN / WEB DESK
In United State the House G.O.P picked Rep. Mike Johnson as their latest speaker nominee Tuesday, though the Louisiana Republican so far lacks the 217 votes needed to win the gavel – the latest sign that Republicans are still no closer to electing a new speaker three weeks after Kevin McCarthy’s historic ouster.
GOP’s top contender Republican Chief Whip Tom Emmer(R- Minnesota) dropped out of the speaker race even after winning three rounds of secret balloting , wanting all 217 votes on floor to hold the gavel , thus plunging the house into chaos again with important legislations on funding to Israel and Ukraine in limbo. And a government shutdown looming large on November 17.
The vote for Johnson came at the end of a tumultuous day that began when Republicans voted to elect Minnesota Rep. Tom Emmer as speaker nominee only for Emmer drop out just hours later amid stiff resistance from the right flank of the conference and a major rebuke from former President Donald Trump.
In the final round of secret-ballot voting, Johnson was elected speaker nominee with 128 votes. McCarthy received 43 votes, the next highest tally, and some House Republicans are blaming the California Republican for undercutting Johnson’s ascent.
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