The Republican leader of the House of Representatives, Kevin McCarthy, has failed in his latest attempt to elect a speaker amid a paralysis of US government not seen since the pre-Civil War era.
A group of right-wingers in his party derailed the 11th attempt to elect him on the third day of voting.
Republicans took control of the House in November’s midterm elections, but gridlock has left the chamber unable to swear in members or pass bills.
The proceedings of the House were adjourned till Friday.
Not since 1860, when the Union of the United States was fighting over slavery, has the lower house of Congress voted so many times to elect a speaker. This was followed by 44 rounds of balloting.
A group of 20 hardline Republican lawmakers are refusing to give Mr. McCarthy the necessary 218 votes.
Rebels doubt the California congressman’s conservative bona fides despite former President Donald Trump’s endorsement.
One of the opponents, Ralph Norman of South Carolina, told JEE News he simply did not trust Mr McCarthy.
The congressman said Mr. McCarthy’s team had threatened political retaliation against him if he did not fall in line in the weeks leading up to the impasse.
“We will be kicked out of committees,” Mr. Norman said. “We are going to lose every privilege we have.
“And we basically told them, ‘If we can’t ask questions, if we can’t vet the most powerful person that we’re going to put in office, we’re going to be out.’ ‘
Meanwhile, minority Democrats continued to unite and vote for their leader, Hakeem Jeffries of New York, the first black person to lead a party in Congress. But he looks set to win over six Republican defectors to become speaker.
Lawmakers in the sharply divided chamber will reconvene at noon (17:00 GMT) on Friday, the second anniversary of Trump supporters rioting in the US Capitol.
Despite the holdout, Mr McCarthy – who has served as the top House Republican since 2019 – has the support of more than 200 Republicans, more than 90% of his caucus. They are getting restless as their agenda stalls.
