05:30
Trump pulls Stefanik UN nomination
U.S. President Trump has withdrawn Rep. Elise Stefanik’s UN ambassador nomination to preserve the GOP’s slim House majority.
Johnson has failed to secure a majority of votes on the first ballot
Anewz
Speaker of the House, Republican Mike Johnson fell short in his bid to retain the top post in the U.S. House of Representatives on Friday.
With voting still ongoing, at least three Republicans voted against Johnson, likely leaving the incumbent House speaker short of the majority he needs to remain in the job.
Republicans control the chamber by a razor-thin 219-215 majority. According to the "time-freezing" rules of the American Congress, members still had a chance to change their vote or to cast a vote if they had abstained.
House Republicans have been defined by internal divisions over the last two years. Johnson was elevated to speaker after the party ousted Kevin McCarthy mid-term.
The House went through 15 rounds of voting over four days in 2023 before finally electing McCarthy speaker.
The conservative Christian lawyer Louisiana representative emerged as a consensus pick, but has since struggled to keep his party unified
Ahead of the vote, Johnson - arguiably the most conservative Speaker of the House in modern American history - said he would keep trying if he fell short on the first round of balloting. .So far, no other Republican has publicly hinted at challenging Johnson for the role.
Johnson has sought to build a close relationship with President-elect Donald Trump, who endorsed him on Monday following weeks of uncertainty.
"A win for Mike today will be a big win for the Republican Party," Trump posted online on Friday. Trump returns to the White House on Inauguration Day, January 20th.
07:00
Washington DC, USA
White House reveals theme of Trump’s address to US Congress
President scheduled to speak before full Congress on Tuesday at 9 pm EST
20:30
California
California governor requests $40 billion for fire aid, Washington Post reports
California Governor Gavin Newsom is asking Congress for nearly $40 billion in disaster funding to help Los Angeles recover and rebuild areas scorched by last month's devastating wildfires, the Washington Post reported on Friday citing a letter.
10:49
Azerbaijan - US
Statements by U.S. Congress on January 20 tragedy anniversary
U.S. Congressional Azerbaijan Caucus co-chairs honour the 35th anniversary of January 20, reflecting on its impact as a pivotal moment in Azerbaijan's fight for independence.
15:05
Prosecutors demand 15-year sentence for ex-senator
Federal prosecutors are seeking a 15-year prison sentence for former Senator Bob Menendez, convicted of corruption charges, including taking bribes and acting as a foreign agent for Egypt while leading the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment