WASHINGTON: In the frantic race to choose a new Speaker of the House of Representatives in the United States, Donald Trump's name was met with laughs on Thursday as he garnered one vote out of more than 430. Various Republican groups are unwilling to unite behind GOP nominee Kevin McCarthy, making this year's contest for control of the lower chamber the longest in 164 years.
As a "symbolic but stark sign of the deep divides over the future of the Republican Party," Florida Republican Matt Gaetz cast the lone vote for Trump. In the eleventh round of voting, Gaetz officially proposed Trump as House speaker.
Aaron Rupar, an American journalist, posted a video of House clerk Cheryl Johnson reading out the results of the 11th round of voting. She can be heard saying, "The honourable Donald J Trump of Florida has received one [vote]," followed by a chorus of laughter.
McCarthy should have had an easier time becoming Speaker of the House after the Republicans won a slim nine-seat majority in the House in November. McCarthy has now lost multiple voting rounds despite important concessions to hardline party members, which are widely anticipated to make his tenure and governance a real challenge. Since then, internal rifts and divides have also surfaced.
However, the Republican from California has savoured these moments without seeming to be bothered and was overheard stating, "Apparently, I like to make history." He declared, "I'm not putting any time on it," in response to Thursday's setback.
The Democrats, who control the Senate by the thinnest of margins thanks to vice president Kamala Harris' casting vote, have reason to believe because at least 20 Republicans have so far resisted, giving them optimism.
Although no speakership election has gone over nine rounds since the Civil War era, the House will resume on Friday. Frederick Gillett, a Massachusetts Republican, won the election in 1923 after nine votes. 44 votes were required in the previous multi-ballot vote, which took place in 1859. Previously, just six elections required more than ten votes. House members can do nothing else until they have elected a Speaker, which is the first item on their agenda.
Also watch: