The U.S. House of Representatives elected GOP leader Kevin McCarthy of California as speaker in a dramatic 15th vote. Watch this video to know more.

McCarthy elected House speaker after 15 votes and days of negotiations

Republican Kevin McCarthy, who faces rebellion from within his ranks lost eleven rounds of voting for the US House speaker seat so far. This is the longest fight in the US House for the position of Speaker. But there is another Republican candidate Kevin Hern who is now seen to be a contender for the crucial seat with the ability to shape legislation.

<h2>Who is Kevin Hern, an anti-McCarthy?&nbsp;</h2>

Kevin Hern, 61, is a Republican from Oklahoma. One of the 147 Republicans who voted to reject the results of the 2020 presidential election is Hern. He is the recently elected chairman of the Republican Study Committee, the largest conservative caucus in the House.

Hern, a businessman and former aerospace engineer who was first elected to Congress in 2018, will serve his third term in office. In the aerospace industry, when the Space Shuttle Challenger disaster took place in 1986, Kevin was out of work. Later, he started his own business and worked as an aerospace engineer for Rockwell International, according to his congressional biography.

<h2>Who all voted for Kevin Hern?&nbsp;</h2>

He was nominated by Colorado Representative Lauren Boebert. Representative Boebert is one of the far-rights anti-McCarthy, from the start. What was interesting to see in the eighth ballot was that Boebert flipped and voted in favour of Hern instead of Florida Representative Byron Donalds. She nominated Hern for the ninth and 10th ballots.

On the eighth vote, Hern received a vote from second District Congressman-elect Josh Brecheen of Oklahoma and Lauren, a total of two votes. Moreover, he received seven votes on the 10th and 11th ballots. At least 20 Republicans are in rebel mode and are holding a firm stance against Kevin McCarthy. In this situation, it is difficult to predict which way the tide would turn.&nbsp;

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Republican Kevin McCarthy, who faces rebellion from within his ranks lost eleven rounds of voting for the US House speaker seat so far. This is the longest fight in the US House for the position of Speaker.

Republican Kevin McCarthy, who faces rebellion from within his ranks lost eleven rounds of voting for the US House speaker seat so far. This is the longest fight in the US House for the position of Speaker. But there is another Republican candidate Kevin Hern who is now seen to be a contender for the crucial seat with the ability to shape legislation. Who is Kevin Hern, an anti-McCarthy? Kevin Hern, 61, is a Republican from Oklahoma. One of the 147 Republicans who voted to reject the results of the 2020 presidential election is Hern. He is the recently elected chairman of the Republican Study Committee, the largest conservative caucus in the House. Hern, a businessman and former aerospace engineer who was first elected to Congress in 2018, will serve his third term in office. In the aerospace industry, when the Space Shuttle Challenger disaster took place in 1986, Kevin was out of work. Later, he started his own business and worked as an aerospace engineer for Rockwell International, according to his congressional biography. Who all voted for Kevin Hern? He was nominated by Colorado Representative Lauren Boebert. Representative Boebert is one of the far-rights anti-McCarthy, from the start. What was interesting to see in the eighth ballot was that Boebert flipped and voted in favour of Hern instead of Florida Representative Byron Donalds. She nominated Hern for the ninth and 10th ballots. On the eighth vote, Hern received a vote from second District Congressman-elect Josh Brecheen of Oklahoma and Lauren, a total of two votes. Moreover, he received seven votes on the 10th and 11th ballots. At least 20 Republicans are in rebel mode and are holding a firm stance against Kevin McCarthy. In this situation, it is difficult to predict which way the tide would turn.

Who is Kevin Hern, an anti-McCarthy and Republicans' alternative for US House speakership?

The US House of Representatives failed to break the deadlock for a third consecutive day to select the next speaker. The Republicans could not band together as nominee Kevin McCarthy lost the 11th ballot. The House was adjourned till noon after the motion was passed 219-213.&nbsp;

With the loss, the stage is set for a 12th ballot which makes it the longest-running speaker election contest in 164 years.&nbsp;

While McCarthy managed to receive 201 votes yesterday, his tally dwindled by one on Thursday&nbsp;after Rep.-elect Ken Buck of Colorado was forced to leave the session for a medical appointment.&nbsp; He is not expected to be back till mid-day tomorrow or even later.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-republicans-fail-to-elect-a-speaker-after-2-days-and-6-rounds-of-votes-549866">WATCH |&nbsp;Gravitas: Republicans fail to elect a speaker after 2 days and 6 rounds of votes</a>

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Notably, McCarthy needs to reach the magical figure of 218 to stake his claim to become the speaker. However, he cannot afford to lose more than four party colleagues, which unfortunately hasn't been the case ever since the 118th Congressional session began on Tuesday.&nbsp;

The rebel group of far-right Republican leaders who have earned the nickname 'Taliban 20' have thrown a spanner in the election process. The&nbsp;renegades do not want McCarthy as the speaker and have used the razor-thin majority of Republicans in the House to their advantage.&nbsp;&nbsp;

GOP leader&nbsp;Matt Gaetz who has been leading the anti-McCarthyist crusade voted&nbsp;for Donald Trump during the ballots on Thursday, a day after calling the&nbsp;former president's support for McCarthy 'sad'.&nbsp;

“And so I nominate President Trump, because we must make our country great again, and he can start by making the House of Representative great again,” said Gaetz.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/who-is-republican-kevin-mccarthy-the-last-of-the-young-guns-in-us-congress-549366">Read more:&nbsp;Who is Republican Kevin McCarthy, the last of the 'young guns' in US Congress?</a>

Without the election of a House speaker, Congress cannot work as no nominations can be confirmed, committees cannot be formed and legislations cannot be passed.

A result is highly unlikely and adjournment seems the best bet for McCarthy. Multiple reports have suggested that his side has made more concessions to the 'Never Kevins' but the fight for 218 remains chaotic as ever.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

WATCH WION LIVE HERE:&nbsp;

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The US House of Representatives failed to break the deadlock for a third consecutive day to select the next speaker. The Republicans could not band together as nominee Kevin McCarthy lost the 11th ballot.

The US House of Representatives failed to break the deadlock for a third consecutive day to select the next speaker. The Republicans could not band together as nominee Kevin McCarthy lost the 11th ballot. The House was adjourned till noon after the motion was passed 219-213. With the loss, the stage is set for a 12th ballot which makes it the longest-running speaker election contest in 164 years. While McCarthy managed to receive 201 votes yesterday, his tally dwindled by one on Thursday after Rep.-elect Ken Buck of Colorado was forced to leave the session for a medical appointment. He is not expected to be back till mid-day tomorrow or even later. WATCH | Gravitas: Republicans fail to elect a speaker after 2 days and 6 rounds of votes × Notably, McCarthy needs to reach the magical figure of 218 to stake his claim to become the speaker. However, he cannot afford to lose more than four party colleagues, which unfortunately hasn't been the case ever since the 118th Congressional session began on Tuesday. The rebel group of far-right Republican leaders who have earned the nickname 'Taliban 20' have thrown a spanner in the election process. The renegades do not want McCarthy as the speaker and have used the razor-thin majority of Republicans in the House to their advantage. GOP leader Matt Gaetz who has been leading the anti-McCarthyist crusade voted for Donald Trump during the ballots on Thursday, a day after calling the former president's support for McCarthy 'sad'. “And so I nominate President Trump, because we must make our country great again, and he can start by making the House of Representative great again,” said Gaetz. Read more: Who is Republican Kevin McCarthy, the last of the 'young guns' in US Congress? Without the election of a House speaker, Congress cannot work as no nominations can be confirmed, committees cannot be formed and legislations cannot be passed. A result is highly unlikely and adjournment seems the best bet for McCarthy. Multiple reports have suggested that his side has made more concessions to the 'Never Kevins' but the fight for 218 remains chaotic as ever. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

US House adjourned: McCarthy loses 11th ballot in the longest speaker contest in 164 years

The newly-elected US House of representatives has again failed to elect their speaker after 11 rounds of voting in the last three days. GOP members are now warning that the impasse could have been implications on national security related issues.

US House Speaker stalemate drags on, Kevin McCarthy loses 11th speaker vote

The Republicans have failed to elect a speaker despite a majority in the House of Representatives. Two days and six rounds of vote later, the House remains speaker-less. Priyanka Sharma asks- Are the Republicans suicidal?

Gravitas: Republicans fail to elect a speaker after 2 days and 6 rounds of votes

President Joe Biden has commented for the first time as the House speaker election remains in a logjam. Biden took a shot at the Republicans and said they needed to 'get their act together'.

President Joe Biden has commented for the first time as the House speaker election remains in a logjam. Biden took a shot at the Republicans and said they needed to 'get their act together'. "This is not a good look. It's not a good thing. This is the United States of America, and I hope they get their act together," said Biden before adding, “The rest of the world is looking.” "How do you think this looks to the rest of the world? We're finally coming out of - the first time we're getting through the whole issue relating to January 6." The Republican-led House of Representatives could not elect the speaker on Tuesday after Republican nominee Kevin McCarthy was stalled by a rebel group of far-right party men. McCarthy became the only political leader in a century - the first since the Civil War to lose the opening three rounds of the ballot to become the House speaker. After McCarthy's colleagues pulled their vote, a chaotic House was forced to be adjourned. Read more: Kevin McCarthy becomes the first person to lose three rounds of House speaker voting in a century As of the last update, the House gathered on Wednesday where McCarthy once again lost in the fourth ballot. McCarthy needs to win 218 votes of the full House to become the speaker and replace former Democrat leader Nancy Pelosi. Usually, the speaker is elected much before the official voting. However, the conservatives of the party are staunchly against McCarthy and have used the razor-thin majority in the House to their advantage. WATCH | U.S. House Speaker Voting: No majority for republican speaker candidate Kevin McCarthy × Meanwhile, former present Donald Trump lent his weight behind McCarthy by taking to Truth Social and penning a supporting message. Republicans, do not turn a great triumph into a giant and embarrassing defeat,” Trump posted on his Truth Social website Wednesday morning. “It’s time to celebrate. You deserve it. Kevin McCarthy will do a good job, and maybe even a great job – just watch!” wrote Trump. Read more: Who is Republican Kevin McCarthy, the last of the 'young guns' in US Congress? Despite the majority of the rebels being Trump supporters, it is highly unlikely that McCarthy is going to witness a change of heart amongst the lot. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

Biden wants Republicans to get their 'act together' on House speaker voting

Amid the US House of Representatives speaker election conundrum, where Republicans are unable to reach a consensus, Democrat leader and House member Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez has pitched a rather unusual solution.&nbsp;

Speaking to&nbsp;MSNBC, Ocasio-Cortez suggested that Republican speaker nominee Kevin McCarthy may consider entering into negotiations with the Democrats to secure the required votes.&nbsp;

"I do not believe that Kevin McCarthy has the votes. I believe that a lot of the opposition to him is very personal. I believe his leadership style is incompatible with a lot of Republican members and certainly the Democratic caucus," said&nbsp;Ocasio-Cortez.&nbsp;

"So the question is, is there anyone in their caucus that can build that consensus? If there isn't, McCarthy's team may have to come to the Democratic party. And, if that's the case, then what would that even look like? It's rather unprecedented. Could it result in a potential coalition government?"

The far-left leader also wondered what could the Democrats benefit from in exchange for the votes.&nbsp;"Could we get Democratic chairs of committees as a result?"&nbsp;

AOC suggested that her opinion did not mean the party was open to such a discussion but if McCarthy approached the Democrats, there could be a potential for a coalition government.&nbsp;

"But, really, it's about the cards that are in McCarthy's hands. And if he chooses to approach the Democratic Caucus, then that would be a negotiation, in and of itself, for a potential coalition government. But, again, this is very much an unprecedented time."

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/us-house-speaker-voting-no-majority-for-republican-speaker-candidate-kevin-mccarthy-549475">WATCH |&nbsp;U.S. House Speaker Voting: No majority for republican speaker candidate Kevin McCarthy</a>

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McCarthy needs to win 218 votes of the full House to become the speaker and replace former Democrat leader Nancy Pelosi.&nbsp;

Usually, the speaker is elected much before the official voting. However, the conservatives of the party are staunchly against McCarthy and have used the razor-thin majority in the House to their advantage.&nbsp;

The likes of&nbsp;Andy Biggs,&nbsp;Paul Gosar, and&nbsp;Matt Gaetz have been the loud voices objecting to McCarthy's endorsement as the Republican nominee since November.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-urges-republicans-to-back-mccarthy-in-race-to-become-us-house-speaker-549468">Read more:&nbsp;Trump urges Republicans to back McCarthy in race to become US House speaker</a>

As of the last update, McCarthy had failed to secure a majority in the fifth round of ballots as well.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

WATCH WION LIVE HERE:&nbsp;

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Amid the US House of Representatives speaker election conundrum, where Republicans are unable to reach a consensus, Democrat leader and House member Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez has pitched a rather unusual solution.

Amid the US House of Representatives speaker election conundrum, where Republicans are unable to reach a consensus, Democrat leader and House member Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez has pitched a rather unusual solution. Speaking to MSNBC, Ocasio-Cortez suggested that Republican speaker nominee Kevin McCarthy may consider entering into negotiations with the Democrats to secure the required votes. "I do not believe that Kevin McCarthy has the votes. I believe that a lot of the opposition to him is very personal. I believe his leadership style is incompatible with a lot of Republican members and certainly the Democratic caucus," said Ocasio-Cortez. "So the question is, is there anyone in their caucus that can build that consensus? If there isn't, McCarthy's team may have to come to the Democratic party. And, if that's the case, then what would that even look like? It's rather unprecedented. Could it result in a potential coalition government?" The far-left leader also wondered what could the Democrats benefit from in exchange for the votes. "Could we get Democratic chairs of committees as a result?" AOC suggested that her opinion did not mean the party was open to such a discussion but if McCarthy approached the Democrats, there could be a potential for a coalition government. "But, really, it's about the cards that are in McCarthy's hands. And if he chooses to approach the Democratic Caucus, then that would be a negotiation, in and of itself, for a potential coalition government. But, again, this is very much an unprecedented time." WATCH | U.S. House Speaker Voting: No majority for republican speaker candidate Kevin McCarthy × McCarthy needs to win 218 votes of the full House to become the speaker and replace former Democrat leader Nancy Pelosi. Usually, the speaker is elected much before the official voting. However, the conservatives of the party are staunchly against McCarthy and have used the razor-thin majority in the House to their advantage. The likes of Andy Biggs, Paul Gosar, and Matt Gaetz have been the loud voices objecting to McCarthy's endorsement as the Republican nominee since November. Read more: Trump urges Republicans to back McCarthy in race to become US House speaker As of the last update, McCarthy had failed to secure a majority in the fifth round of ballots as well. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez suggests McCarthy open negotiations with the Democrats for House speaker votes

Former United States President Donald Trump has urged far-right Republicans to support Kevin McCarthy in the election to become the US House speaker. McCarthy failed to win the poll despite the Republicans controlling the House – something that has not happened in more than 100 years.

The Republicans won control of the US House in the midterm elections but McCarthy’s candidacy as the speaker was challenged by certain parts of the party. &nbsp;"It's now time for all of our great Republican House Members to vote for Kevin, close the deal and take victory," Trump posted on social media. "Republicans, do not turn a great triumph into a giant and embarrassing defeat."

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/omicron-offshoot-to-xbb15-may-cause-new-covid-spike-in-the-us-confirms-cdc-549368">Omicron offshoot XBB.1.5 may cause new Covid spike in the US, confirms CDC</a>

With a 222-212 majority in the US House, the Republican Party had the number needed to elect McCarthy as the speaker. However, he was unable to secure the 218 votes needed for the win.

During the first two rounds of voting, 19 members from the Republican Party voted against him and the number went up to 20 in the third round. Most of the rebels were previous supporters of Trump.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/rishi-sunak-to-call-for-mandatory-maths-education-till-age-18-549369">Rishi Sunak plans to make maths mandatory for all students till the age of 18</a>

McCarthy has been blamed in the past for being loyal to Trump and he has already asked for investigations of Biden's family as well as the government. However, during the voting, he received less votes than Democratic minority leader Hakeem Jeffries but both failed to hit the majority mark.

The last time that the election for House speaker went to the second round was back in 1923.

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Former United States President Donald Trump has urged far-right Republicans to support Kevin McCarthy in the election to become the US House speaker. McCarthy failed to win the poll despite the Republicans controlling the House – something that has not happened in more than 100 years.

Former United States President Donald Trump has urged far-right Republicans to support Kevin McCarthy in the election to become the US House speaker. McCarthy failed to win the poll despite the Republicans controlling the House – something that has not happened in more than 100 years. The Republicans won control of the US House in the midterm elections but McCarthy’s candidacy as the speaker was challenged by certain parts of the party. "It's now time for all of our great Republican House Members to vote for Kevin, close the deal and take victory," Trump posted on social media. "Republicans, do not turn a great triumph into a giant and embarrassing defeat." Also read | Omicron offshoot XBB.1.5 may cause new Covid spike in the US, confirms CDC With a 222-212 majority in the US House, the Republican Party had the number needed to elect McCarthy as the speaker. However, he was unable to secure the 218 votes needed for the win. During the first two rounds of voting, 19 members from the Republican Party voted against him and the number went up to 20 in the third round. Most of the rebels were previous supporters of Trump. Also read | Rishi Sunak plans to make maths mandatory for all students till the age of 18 McCarthy has been blamed in the past for being loyal to Trump and he has already asked for investigations of Biden's family as well as the government. However, during the voting, he received less votes than Democratic minority leader Hakeem Jeffries but both failed to hit the majority mark. The last time that the election for House speaker went to the second round was back in 1923.

Trump urges Republicans to back McCarthy in race to become US House speaker

On Tuesday, House Democrats formally elected New York Representative Hakeem Jeffries as their leader, uniting around a liberal lawyer and disciplined political tactician as the face of their opposition to the new Republican majority.

Mr Jeffries' ascension made history on a day otherwise dominated by uproarious squabbling among Republicans. He is the first Black politician to serve as the leader of either party in Congress, and&nbsp;at 52, he represents a generational shift for House Democrats after two decades under Nancy Pelosi.&nbsp;

Though&nbsp;Jeffries was defeated on Tuesday, now that House Democrats are in the minority in this Congress. But the Democrats were rejoicing&nbsp;for Jeffries, clearly having more fun than Republicans, whose first day in the House majority devolved into chaos with far-right members opposing McCarthy's bid for speaker. This nomination of Jeffries is seen as a dig at Republican Leader Kevin McCarthy as Democrats said that Jeffries does not "grovel" to former President Donald Trump.&nbsp;

<h2>Who is Hakeem Jeffries?</h2>

Laneda Jeffries, a social worker, and Marland Jeffries, a state substance-abuse counsellor, gave birth to Jeffries at Brooklyn Hospital Center in New York City. He grew up in Brooklyn's Crown Heights neighbourhood.

Early life and education

In 1988, Jeffries graduated from Midwood High School and then went on to study political science at Binghamton University, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree with honours in 1992. During his time at Binghamton, he joined the Kappa Alpha Psi fraternity.

Jeffries earned a Master of Public Policy from Georgetown University's McCourt School of Public Policy in 1994. He then went to law school at New York University, where he was a member of the New York University Law Review and&nbsp;received his Juris Doctorate in 1997.

Political Career&nbsp;

Mr Jeffries, the son of civil servants, rose quickly through the ranks of Democratic politics in New York and then Washington, beginning as a litigator at a white-shoe law firm and then at CBS. He has represented some of the nation's most iconic Black neighbourhoods in Brooklyn since 2013. During his presidency, Trump established a national reputation as a scathing critic and impeachment prosecutor, while also working with Republicans to pass criminal justice reform legislation.

The big leap&nbsp;

Democrats have been grooming Mr Jeffries, the former chairman of the House Democratic Caucus, as a potential leader for several years. But it wasn't until Ms Pelosi decided to resign as speaker after last year's midterm elections. He then stepped forward, along with Mr Aguilar and Massachusetts Rep. Katherine Clark.

The future challenges&nbsp;in front of Mr Jeffries

People close to Mr Jeffries describe him as a calm strategist and communicator. He has become known in Washington for sticking to carefully worded statements. However, he faces a difficult task in taming an unruly and ideologically diverse Democratic caucus while attempting to blunt Republican attacks on the Biden administration and regaining the majority in 2024.

On Tuesday, House Democrats formally elected New York Representative Hakeem Jeffries as their leader, uniting around a liberal lawyer and disciplined political tactician as the face of their opposition to the new Republican majority.

On Tuesday, House Democrats formally elected New York Representative Hakeem Jeffries as their leader, uniting around a liberal lawyer and disciplined political tactician as the face of their opposition to the new Republican majority. Mr Jeffries' ascension made history on a day otherwise dominated by uproarious squabbling among Republicans. He is the first Black politician to serve as the leader of either party in Congress, and at 52, he represents a generational shift for House Democrats after two decades under Nancy Pelosi. Though Jeffries was defeated on Tuesday, now that House Democrats are in the minority in this Congress. But the Democrats were rejoicing for Jeffries, clearly having more fun than Republicans, whose first day in the House majority devolved into chaos with far-right members opposing McCarthy's bid for speaker. This nomination of Jeffries is seen as a dig at Republican Leader Kevin McCarthy as Democrats said that Jeffries does not "grovel" to former President Donald Trump. Who is Hakeem Jeffries? Laneda Jeffries, a social worker, and Marland Jeffries, a state substance-abuse counsellor, gave birth to Jeffries at Brooklyn Hospital Center in New York City. He grew up in Brooklyn's Crown Heights neighbourhood. Early life and education In 1988, Jeffries graduated from Midwood High School and then went on to study political science at Binghamton University, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree with honours in 1992. During his time at Binghamton, he joined the Kappa Alpha Psi fraternity. Jeffries earned a Master of Public Policy from Georgetown University's McCourt School of Public Policy in 1994. He then went to law school at New York University, where he was a member of the New York University Law Review and received his Juris Doctorate in 1997. Political Career Mr Jeffries, the son of civil servants, rose quickly through the ranks of Democratic politics in New York and then Washington, beginning as a litigator at a white-shoe law firm and then at CBS. He has represented some of the nation's most iconic Black neighbourhoods in Brooklyn since 2013. During his presidency, Trump established a national reputation as a scathing critic and impeachment prosecutor, while also working with Republicans to pass criminal justice reform legislation. The big leap Democrats have been grooming Mr Jeffries, the former chairman of the House Democratic Caucus, as a potential leader for several years. But it wasn't until Ms Pelosi decided to resign as speaker after last year's midterm elections. He then stepped forward, along with Mr Aguilar and Massachusetts Rep. Katherine Clark. The future challenges in front of Mr Jeffries People close to Mr Jeffries describe him as a calm strategist and communicator. He has become known in Washington for sticking to carefully worded statements. However, he faces a difficult task in taming an unruly and ideologically diverse Democratic caucus while attempting to blunt Republican attacks on the Biden administration and regaining the majority in 2024.

Who is Hakeem Jeffries? The first black lawmaker nominee for house speaker, know everything about him

In the weeks leading up to the 118th session of the United States Congress, which is set to convene on Tuesday (December 3) at noon (local time), the attention has been focused on Republican Congressman Kevin McCarthy whose bid to become the speaker of the House of Representatives has been uncertain at best.&nbsp;

Notably, this is not the first time that the California lawmaker has sought to lead the 435-member House. In 2015, he faced similar opposition from a small section of the Republican party (GOP) after he entered the race when House Speaker John Boehner, (R-Ohio) resigned.&nbsp;

Last year, following the midterm elections the GOP, took over the House with a narrow majority of 222-213 from the Democrats and the outgoing speaker Nancy Pelosi. However, given the opposition against McCarthy so far, from people of his own caucus, Tuesday might become the first time ever in nearly 100 years that a majority is garnered to elect a speaker of the chamber. &nbsp;

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Importance of a House speaker

The role of a speaker is critical for the government in Washington to function since not only will the lawmaker preside over the lower chamber of Congress they would also be next in line for the presidency. Typically, a speaker is elected at the beginning of a new Congress, however, the House can elect a new one if the incumbent dies, resigns or is removed from office, said a report by Associated Press. &nbsp;

Additionally, the chamber cannot be organised until a speaker who is to preside over it is chosen, therefore, the vote to choose a speaker will be the first one taken once the lawmakers convene for the session on January 3 even before the new and returning members of both parties are sworn in.&nbsp;

The speaker has “massive influence over what sorts of bills and amendments get voted on in Congress”, said Christian Fong, a political science professor at the University of Michigan, to Al Jazeera. He added that this also gives them a significant amount of control over what becomes a law in the upcoming session.&nbsp;

Who will lead the house from both parties in the upcoming session?

After the midterm elections, both the GOP conference and Democratic caucus held an informal vote where they selected the lawmaker they want to lead their party for the upcoming session. Therefore, by mid-November, following a close-door vote with Republicans, McCarthy emerged as the leader of the House for his party. Subsequently, by the end of the month, Democrats chose Representative Hakeem Jeffries from New York to lead the party in the House. &nbsp;

ALSO WATCH |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/us-midterms-republicans-win-the-us-house-kevin-mccarthy-to-become-the-house-speaker-535052">US Midterms: Republicans win the U.S. House; Kevin McCarthy to become the House Speaker</a>

How does the voting take place?

Once the House has the minimum number of members present to proceed or quorum, leaders of the house will read out the names of the speaker nominee from their respective party before the roll call vote for the election. Subsequently, the clerk appoints lawmakers from each party as tellers to tally the votes.&nbsp;

Notably, once the Congress begins on January 3, the members are not obligated to vote for the party’s chosen candidate, in fact, while the person typically is a member of the House it is not required. Therefore, any lawmaker including the incumbent President Joe Biden, former President Donald Trump, and Senators, can be nominated and have previously received votes for speaker’s office, in the past, but not gained the majority, reported AP.&nbsp;

This is because lawmakers in the House call out the name of their choice from the floor in a time-consuming roll call. So far, the number to reach a majority in the 435-member chamber has been 218 votes, however, many speakers including the outgoing speaker Pelosi have taken the gavel with less than that. &nbsp;

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/twitter-slams-kevin-mccarthy-for-saying-he-would-hit-nancy-pelosi-with-gavel-402272">Twitter slams Kevin McCarthy for saying he would hit Nancy Pelosi with gavel</a>

This is because some members vote present instead of calling out a name, therefore, according to AP, every lawmaker that votes “present” lowers the total tally needed to reach a majority. In case a majority is not reached on the first ballot, as many have speculated would happen in McCarthy’s case, the clerk will repeat the roll call vote several times until a majority is garnered.&nbsp;

The passing of the gavel

Once the speaker nominee has won a majority of the vote the clear announces the results. Subsequently, a bipartisan committee typically one consisting of the members of the candidate’s home state escorts the speaker-elect to the dais for the oath-taking ceremony, where the outgoing speaker, in this case, speaker and California Democrat Pelosi, joins their successor and passes the gavel in a peaceful transition of power.&nbsp;

Why do many people McCarthy would not be able to garner a majority to become the speaker?

The last time a speaker for the House of Representatives was not elected in the first round of votes was exactly a century ago in 1923 when a speaker was selected after nearly nine rounds of voting. “It’s a very thin (GOP majority), so it only takes a small group of determined representatives to really get together and pose a credible threat to prevent the Speaker from being elected”, said Fong to Al Jazeera. The professor also spoke about how despite growing bipartisan opposition to the power of the Speaker, the path to the gavel will be particularly difficult for McCarthy.&nbsp;

The situation that&nbsp;the&nbsp;Republican lawmaker faces&nbsp;is not entirely unique, as&nbsp;the outgoing speaker Pelosi who held the position for nearly four years witnessed similar internal opposition during her reelection in 2021. However,&nbsp;despite protests from five members of her caucus she managed to retain her position with&nbsp;Dems'&nbsp;slim majority in the chamber, at the time.&nbsp;

ALSO WATCH |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/kevin-mccarthy-struggles-to-clinch-support-to-be-us-house-speaker-amid-hardline-opposition-549139">Kevin McCarthy struggles to clinch support to be U.S. House speaker amid hardline opposition</a> 
 
According to Fong, Republicans who are opposing McCarthy’s bid for the gavel&nbsp;are from the so-called “safe-districts”, where they did not face much competition in the elections&nbsp;or had trouble raising funds due to their strong political base. Therefore, they do not value the power a speaker holds over what would otherwise be “valuable resources” for the House members which include committee assignments and campaign funding.&nbsp;

Additionally, the California Republican faces a number of critics who want change in the way the House operates and have long complained that the structure gives too much power to leaders and argued for changes which would make small groups of dissenters obstruct and change legislation, reported the New York Times.&nbsp;

McCarthy currently faces at least a dozen lawmakers who would choose anyone else but him which has left him scrambling for votes at the last minute&nbsp;and negotiating with the opposing lawmakers on concessions which may dilute his powers, should he take the office of the speaker,&nbsp;in the upcoming session. This mix also includes&nbsp;a group of newly elected lawmakers who are still weighing their options, said the NYT.&nbsp;

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/tiktok-banned-from-all-us-house-of-representatives-managed-devices-547210">TikTok banned from all US House of Representatives-managed devices</a> 
&nbsp;

What will happen if McCarthy fails?

As mentioned earlier, the speaker is an important part of not only the House but also the functioning of the US government, therefore with&nbsp;no one to preside over the chamber, it cannot fully form, name its committee chairmen, or even hold floor proceedings. In one word, chaos,&nbsp;"One thing to stress about this whole process, nothing else happens in the House of Representatives until a speaker is elected. It's the only leadership position specifically mentioned in the Constitution," said NPR's&nbsp;congressional correspondent, Deirdre Walsh.

She added, "Members of Congress cannot even be sworn in to start a new session of Congress without a speaker first being elected. So opening day could be very chaotic."&nbsp;

Additionally, the GOP is holding on to a majority in the lower chamber by just a couple of&nbsp;votes which&nbsp;makes McCarthy’s bid to become the next speaker all the more critical given that members with outsized power can threaten to effectively dilute if not wipe out the&nbsp;power Republicans would otherwise enjoy as a majority in the chamber,&nbsp;affecting potentially every upcoming legislation the dissenters&nbsp;they do not get their way.&nbsp;

“One reason why you don’t see more opposition to the Speaker in the modern era is that the Speaker controls all kinds of valuable resources that members of the House of Representatives really want,” said Fong to Al Jazeera.

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

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In the weeks leading up to the 118th session of the United States Congress, which is set to convene on Tuesday (December 3) at noon (local time), the attention has been focused on Republican Congressman Kevin McCarthy whose bid to become the speaker of the House of Representatives has been uncertain at best.

In the weeks leading up to the 118th session of the United States Congress, which is set to convene on Tuesday (December 3) at noon (local time), the attention has been focused on Republican Congressman Kevin McCarthy whose bid to become the speaker of the House of Representatives has been uncertain at best. Notably, this is not the first time that the California lawmaker has sought to lead the 435-member House. In 2015, he faced similar opposition from a small section of the Republican party (GOP) after he entered the race when House Speaker John Boehner, (R-Ohio) resigned. Last year, following the midterm elections the GOP, took over the House with a narrow majority of 222-213 from the Democrats and the outgoing speaker Nancy Pelosi. However, given the opposition against McCarthy so far, from people of his own caucus, Tuesday might become the first time ever in nearly 100 years that a majority is garnered to elect a speaker of the chamber. ALSO READ | US, South Korea plan 'coordinated response' against North Korea's nuclear threat Importance of a House speaker The role of a speaker is critical for the government in Washington to function since not only will the lawmaker preside over the lower chamber of Congress they would also be next in line for the presidency. Typically, a speaker is elected at the beginning of a new Congress, however, the House can elect a new one if the incumbent dies, resigns or is removed from office, said a report by Associated Press. Additionally, the chamber cannot be organised until a speaker who is to preside over it is chosen, therefore, the vote to choose a speaker will be the first one taken once the lawmakers convene for the session on January 3 even before the new and returning members of both parties are sworn in. The speaker has “massive influence over what sorts of bills and amendments get voted on in Congress”, said Christian Fong, a political science professor at the University of Michigan, to Al Jazeera. He added that this also gives them a significant amount of control over what becomes a law in the upcoming session. Who will lead the house from both parties in the upcoming session? After the midterm elections, both the GOP conference and Democratic caucus held an informal vote where they selected the lawmaker they want to lead their party for the upcoming session. Therefore, by mid-November, following a close-door vote with Republicans, McCarthy emerged as the leader of the House for his party. Subsequently, by the end of the month, Democrats chose Representative Hakeem Jeffries from New York to lead the party in the House. ALSO WATCH | US Midterms: Republicans win the U.S. House; Kevin McCarthy to become the House Speaker How does the voting take place? Once the House has the minimum number of members present to proceed or quorum, leaders of the house will read out the names of the speaker nominee from their respective party before the roll call vote for the election. Subsequently, the clerk appoints lawmakers from each party as tellers to tally the votes. Notably, once the Congress begins on January 3, the members are not obligated to vote for the party’s chosen candidate, in fact, while the person typically is a member of the House it is not required. Therefore, any lawmaker including the incumbent President Joe Biden, former President Donald Trump, and Senators, can be nominated and have previously received votes for speaker’s office, in the past, but not gained the majority, reported AP. This is because lawmakers in the House call out the name of their choice from the floor in a time-consuming roll call. So far, the number to reach a majority in the 435-member chamber has been 218 votes, however, many speakers including the outgoing speaker Pelosi have taken the gavel with less than that. ALSO READ | Twitter slams Kevin McCarthy for saying he would hit Nancy Pelosi with gavel This is because some members vote present instead of calling out a name, therefore, according to AP, every lawmaker that votes “present” lowers the total tally needed to reach a majority. In case a majority is not reached on the first ballot, as many have speculated would happen in McCarthy’s case, the clerk will repeat the roll call vote several times until a majority is garnered. The passing of the gavel Once the speaker nominee has won a majority of the vote the clear announces the results. Subsequently, a bipartisan committee typically one consisting of the members of the candidate’s home state escorts the speaker-elect to the dais for the oath-taking ceremony, where the outgoing speaker, in this case, speaker and California Democrat Pelosi, joins their successor and passes the gavel in a peaceful transition of power. Why do many people McCarthy would not be able to garner a majority to become the speaker? The last time a speaker for the House of Representatives was not elected in the first round of votes was exactly a century ago in 1923 when a speaker was selected after nearly nine rounds of voting. “It’s a very thin (GOP majority), so it only takes a small group of determined representatives to really get together and pose a credible threat to prevent the Speaker from being elected”, said Fong to Al Jazeera. The professor also spoke about how despite growing bipartisan opposition to the power of the Speaker, the path to the gavel will be particularly difficult for McCarthy. The situation that the Republican lawmaker faces is not entirely unique, as the outgoing speaker Pelosi who held the position for nearly four years witnessed similar internal opposition during her reelection in 2021. However, despite protests from five members of her caucus she managed to retain her position with Dems' slim majority in the chamber, at the time. ALSO WATCH | Kevin McCarthy struggles to clinch support to be U.S. House speaker amid hardline opposition According to Fong, Republicans who are opposing McCarthy’s bid for the gavel are from the so-called “safe-districts”, where they did not face much competition in the elections or had trouble raising funds due to their strong political base. Therefore, they do not value the power a speaker holds over what would otherwise be “valuable resources” for the House members which include committee assignments and campaign funding. Additionally, the California Republican faces a number of critics who want change in the way the House operates and have long complained that the structure gives too much power to leaders and argued for changes which would make small groups of dissenters obstruct and change legislation, reported the New York Times. McCarthy currently faces at least a dozen lawmakers who would choose anyone else but him which has left him scrambling for votes at the last minute and negotiating with the opposing lawmakers on concessions which may dilute his powers, should he take the office of the speaker, in the upcoming session. This mix also includes a group of newly elected lawmakers who are still weighing their options, said the NYT. ALSO READ | TikTok banned from all US House of Representatives-managed devices What will happen if McCarthy fails? As mentioned earlier, the speaker is an important part of not only the House but also the functioning of the US government, therefore with no one to preside over the chamber, it cannot fully form, name its committee chairmen, or even hold floor proceedings. In one word, chaos, "One thing to stress about this whole process, nothing else happens in the House of Representatives until a speaker is elected. It's the only leadership position specifically mentioned in the Constitution," said NPR's congressional correspondent, Deirdre Walsh. She added, "Members of Congress cannot even be sworn in to start a new session of Congress without a speaker first being elected. So opening day could be very chaotic." Additionally, the GOP is holding on to a majority in the lower chamber by just a couple of votes which makes McCarthy’s bid to become the next speaker all the more critical given that members with outsized power can threaten to effectively dilute if not wipe out the power Republicans would otherwise enjoy as a majority in the chamber, affecting potentially every upcoming legislation the dissenters they do not get their way. “One reason why you don’t see more opposition to the Speaker in the modern era is that the Speaker controls all kinds of valuable resources that members of the House of Representatives really want,” said Fong to Al Jazeera. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Explained: Will the US House of Representatives have a speaker when it convenes?

Former US president Donald Trump has blamed the pro-life Republicans for the absence of the proverbial 'red-wave' in the November midterm election. Trump took to his social media platform Truth Social and argued his point.

Former US president Donald Trump has blamed the pro-life Republicans for the absence of the proverbial 'red-wave' in the November midterm election. Trump took to his social media platform Truth Social and argued his point. ”It wasn’t my fault that the Republicans didn’t live up to expectations in the MidTerms,” wrote Trump. “I was 233-20! It was the ’abortion issue,’ poorly handled by many Republicans, especially those that firmly insisted on No Exceptions, even in the case of Rape, Incest, or Life of the Mother, that lost large numbers of Voters," added the Republican leader. Trump continued in his rant and added that pro-life voters 'disappeared' after Roe v. Wade fell. “Also, the people that pushed so hard, for decades, against abortion, got their wish from the U.S. Supreme Court, and just plain disappeared, not to be seen again. Plus, Mitch stupid $’s!” added Trump. The former president was referring to Senate minority leader Mitch McConnell who has been repeatedly targeted by Trump after the November elections. WATCH | What do U.S. Midterm Elections decide? × Prior to the elections, Trump and his coterie of supporters were confident that there was a red wave across the country. However, as it turned out, both Democrats and Republicans were evenly matched with the former winning the Senate while the Reds managed to gain a narrow majority in the House. It hasn't been easy sailing for Trump after the end of the November 8 elections. The Republican leader looking to mount a comeback in 2024 was indicted by a senate panel committee's report of trying to incite the January 6 Capitol Hill riots. Last week, the House Ways and Means Committee released Trump's tax returns for the last six years. The redacted tax returns showed that Trump had a bank account in China between 2015 to 2017. Read more: Donald Trump had bank account in China during his presidency, reveal tax documents (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

'Wasn’t my fault..': Donald Trump on the midterm loss, blames 'abortion'

United States President Joe Biden, on Thursday, signed a $1.7&nbsp;trillion funding bill which will keep the country’s federal government operating till the end of their federal budget year in September 2023. The 4000-page bill includes record military spending, funding for students with disabilities, affordable housing for families, and so on.&nbsp;

The bill was due for the presidential signature by late Friday and was signed hours before the deadline to avoid a partial government shutdown on the Caribbean island of St. Croix. where Biden is currently vacationing.

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Today, I signed the bipartisan omnibus bill, ending a year of historic progress. 
 
It'll invest in medical research, safety, veteran health care, disaster recovery, VAWA funding – and gets crucial assistance to Ukraine. 
 
Looking forward to more in 2023. <a href="https://t.co/KTI1R9qMij">pic.twitter.com/KTI1R9qMij</a>
— President Biden (@POTUS) <a href="https://twitter.com/POTUS/status/1608603506470010882?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 29, 2022</a></blockquote>
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The legislation was passed in Congress last week with a Senate, bipartisan vote of 68-29, with the support of 18 of the 50 Senate Republicans. It was also passed in the Democrat-controlled House with Republican support 225-201, days before Christmas. At the time, Biden had said that this move shows that the two opposition parties can work together.&nbsp;

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-house-passes-17-trillion-spending-bill-including-45-bn-ukraine-aid-avoids-partial-shutdown-546204">US House passes $1.7 trillion spending bill, including $45 bn Ukraine aid, avoids partial shutdown</a>

However, House Republican Kevin McCarthy, who hopes to become the Speaker when his party takes over and Congress opens on January 3, called the bill a “monstrosity that is one of the most shameful acts I've ever seen in this body”, during the floor debate. Noting that the bill spends too much, but not enough to curb illegal immigration and the flow of fentanyl into the US.&nbsp;

Notably, the bill accounts for record military spending and emergency aid to Ukraine (amid its conflict with Russia), additional aid and funding for students with disabilities and protecting workers' rights which also includes more job-training resources, as well as affordable housing for families, veterans and those fleeing domestic violence.&nbsp;

ALSO WATCH |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/us-congress-passes-17-trillion-spending-bill-aims-at-averting-govt-shutdown-546216">US: Congress passes $1.7 trillion spending bill, aims at averting govt shutdown</a>

The “bipartisan omnibus bill”, as the US president called it, also includes at least a six per cent increase for domestic initiatives to $772.5 billion while the spending on defence has increased by 10 per cent to $858 billion.&nbsp;

Lawmakers also provided nearly $45 billion for Ukraine and its NATO allies which was more than what Biden had asked for and a $40 billion emergency spending to help communities across the country as they recover from natural disasters, like drought, hurricanes, and so on.&nbsp;

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-debt-reaches-all-time-high-of-31-trillion-by-2029-interest-payments-may-overtake-defence-expenditure-522565">US debt reaches all-time high of $31 trillion, by 2029 interest payments may overtake defence expenditure</a>

Notably, the bill also includes an overhaul of the 19th-century Electoral Count Act which is seemingly a direct response to former US President Donald Trump’s bid to persuade Republican lawmakers and then Vice President Mike Pence to object to the certification of incumbent president Biden’s win after the elections had concluded.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp; 
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United States President Joe Biden, on Thursday, signed a $1.7 trillion funding bill which will keep the country’s federal government operating till the end of their federal budget year in September 2023.

United States President Joe Biden, on Thursday, signed a $1.7 trillion funding bill which will keep the country’s federal government operating till the end of their federal budget year in September 2023. The 4000-page bill includes record military spending, funding for students with disabilities, affordable housing for families, and so on. The bill was due for the presidential signature by late Friday and was signed hours before the deadline to avoid a partial government shutdown on the Caribbean island of St. Croix. where Biden is currently vacationing. Today, I signed the bipartisan omnibus bill, ending a year of historic progress. It'll invest in medical research, safety, veteran health care, disaster recovery, VAWA funding – and gets crucial assistance to Ukraine. Looking forward to more in 2023. pic.twitter.com/KTI1R9qMij — President Biden (@POTUS) December 29, 2022 × The legislation was passed in Congress last week with a Senate, bipartisan vote of 68-29, with the support of 18 of the 50 Senate Republicans. It was also passed in the Democrat-controlled House with Republican support 225-201, days before Christmas. At the time, Biden had said that this move shows that the two opposition parties can work together. ALSO READ | US House passes $1.7 trillion spending bill, including $45 bn Ukraine aid, avoids partial shutdown However, House Republican Kevin McCarthy, who hopes to become the Speaker when his party takes over and Congress opens on January 3, called the bill a “monstrosity that is one of the most shameful acts I've ever seen in this body”, during the floor debate. Noting that the bill spends too much, but not enough to curb illegal immigration and the flow of fentanyl into the US. Notably, the bill accounts for record military spending and emergency aid to Ukraine (amid its conflict with Russia), additional aid and funding for students with disabilities and protecting workers' rights which also includes more job-training resources, as well as affordable housing for families, veterans and those fleeing domestic violence. ALSO WATCH | US: Congress passes $1.7 trillion spending bill, aims at averting govt shutdown The “bipartisan omnibus bill”, as the US president called it, also includes at least a six per cent increase for domestic initiatives to $772.5 billion while the spending on defence has increased by 10 per cent to $858 billion. Lawmakers also provided nearly $45 billion for Ukraine and its NATO allies which was more than what Biden had asked for and a $40 billion emergency spending to help communities across the country as they recover from natural disasters, like drought, hurricanes, and so on. ALSO READ | US debt reaches all-time high of $31 trillion, by 2029 interest payments may overtake defence expenditure Notably, the bill also includes an overhaul of the 19th-century Electoral Count Act which is seemingly a direct response to former US President Donald Trump’s bid to persuade Republican lawmakers and then Vice President Mike Pence to object to the certification of incumbent president Biden’s win after the elections had concluded. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

US President Biden signs $1.7 trillion government spending bill for upcoming fiscal year

Former US president Donald Trump has hit back after the Congressional panel report, released earlier this week, held him responsible for the January 6 Capitol Hill riots.

Former US president Donald Trump has hit back after the Congressional panel report, released earlier this week, held him responsible for the January 6 Capitol Hill riots. Taking to his social media platform Truth Social, Trump posted a video and said, "The unselect committee [sic] did not produce a single shred of evidence that I in any way intended or wanted violence at our Capitol." "The evidence does not exist because the claim is baseless and a monstrous lie," added Trump. The Republican leader who is having a tough time receiving support from his party men for the 2024 run said it wasn't an insurrection but a protest that got out of control. "The events of Jan. 6 were not an insurrection. They were a protest that got tragically out of control." He repeated that his government had urged for the deployment of 10,000 to 20,000 National Guard troops, a claim, categorically denied by the select committee. Read more: January 6 panel's final report sets out case to try Donald Trump Notably, the committee which published the report has called for Trump to never be allowed to hold office again. To substantiate the claims, the report cites at least 200 acts where Trump and his allies attempted to overturn the presidential election. “That evidence has led to an overriding and straight forward conclusion: the central cause of January 6th was one man, former President Donald Trump, whom many others followed. None of the events of January 6th would have happened without him." Watch | Capitol Hill Riots probe: No end to Trump's troubles; Jan 6 panel releases witness testimony × It adds that Trump did not attempt to pacify his supporters charging on Capitol Hill in time. His first tweet, asking the supporters to back down, came an hour after the chaotic events had started. At that point, Trump's tweet had little to no meaning as the majority had infiltrated the Capitol. The 800-page report was published after conducting 1,000-plus interviews and examination of a large number of documents, phone records, texts and more. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

‘Not a shred of evidence against me’: Donald Trump lashes out at Jan 6 panel over its report

Former US President Donald Trump has repeatedly denied the 2020 election results and in a latest post on his social network Truth Social, he has gone even farther. Now, he's calling for the Constitution to be terminated over the issue.

Politicians of both parties criticise Trump after he calls for the termination of US Constitution

Republican leader and South Dakota governor Kristi Noem on Tuesday issued an executive order banning the use of Chinese TikTok by state employees and contractors on government gadgets, citing the short video app's ties to Beijing.

Republican leader and South Dakota governor Kristi Noem on Tuesday issued an executive order banning the use of Chinese TikTok by state employees and contractors on government gadgets, citing the short video app's ties to Beijing. “South Dakota will have no part in the intelligence gathering operations of nations who hate us," said Noem in a statement posted on Twitter. "The Chinese Communist Party uses information that it gathers on TikTok to manipulate the American people, and they gather data off the devices that access the platform." Noem added that the order which goes into effect immediately "prohibits downloading or using the TikTok application or visiting the website on state-owned or state-leased electronic devices capable of internet connectivity". South Dakota is banning TikTok for state government. We will have no part in intelligence gathering for China, a nation that hates America. I hope other states quickly follow this example and protect the vital private information of our citizens. pic.twitter.com/rJ2H2k0Rlk — Governor Kristi Noem (@govkristinoem) November 29, 2022 × TikTok did not immediately respond to Noem's order or the ban imposed. Notably, the GOP leaders, in recent weeks have increased the pressure on TikTok and its owner ByteDance to come clean regarding its data-sharing policies. WATCH | US: Senators call TikTok a 'massive surveillance tool; Is TikTok spying on you for China? × Last week, Republican lawmakers Cathy McMorris Rodgers and James Comer wrote a letter criticising ByteDance saying the Chinese company may have misled Congress about how much data it shares with China. Both Rodgers and Comer are expected to set the House agenda next year after Republicans won the lower chamber in the just-concluded midterm elections. Read more: Republicans target TikTok for sharing users’ data with China, likely to unleash probe Previously, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) also warned against data leaks through the app. Director Christopher Wray told a House panel that potential Chinese government access to users’ data or software through the app is reason to be “extremely concerned”. Wray added that ByteDance embeds specific application programming interfaces (APIs) in the app which gives Beijing access to “control data collection of millions of users or control the recommendation algorithm". (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

Wary of China, US state of South Dakota bans TikTok on state-owned devices

Republican officials in two counties of the United States’ Arizona and Pennsylvania have refused to certify the results of the midterm elections, on Monday. This comes after the Republicans on the election boards of Cochise County in Arizona and Luzerne County in Pennsylvania have voted against the motion in their respective counties.&nbsp;

The two GOP county supervisors on the three-person Cochise County election board have postponed the certification of the county's results and seemingly embraced voter fraud theories. Reportedly, they have raised concerns about the certification of the county’s voting machines, without evidence, while they have been repeatedly assured that the equipment is approved.&nbsp;

Meanwhile, on Monday, secretary of state and Democrat, Katie Hobbs who had previously threatened to sue the county for not certifying the elections, filed a lawsuit. She has reportedly asked the judge to order Cochise County to canvass (the official tally of votes) the election which she said was an obligation under state law.&nbsp;

On the other hand, Luzerne County, Pennsylvania faced a deadlock as two Democratic members in the election board moved to certify the results and two Republicans voted “no”, while the tie-breaker Democrat Daniel Schramm, abstained from voting. This comes after the county faced paper shortages on Election Day as voting centres ran out of ballots early in the day.&nbsp;

However, Schramm, in a phone interview with Associated Press said that after the meeting on Monday, he was reassured that only a few, if any, voters could not cast their ballots because of the shortage. Additionally, he was told that all provisional ballots were accounted for previously. Therefore, Schramm said that he will move to vote in favour of certifying the results in the next meeting on Wednesday.&nbsp;

“I wanted to research to see exactly how many people were just not allowed to vote. I couldn’t find any,” said the Democrat Schramm after election officials reportedly contacted 125 judges of elections from the county’s 187 precincts and said, “nobody being turned away.” Furthermore, the judge had extended the voting time in the Pennsylvania county by two hours on November 8 following the paper shortage.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

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Republican officials in two counties of the United States’ Arizona and Pennsylvania have refused to certify the results of the midterm elections, on Monday. This comes after the Republicans on the election boards of Cochise County in Arizona and Luzerne County in Pennsylvania have voted against the motion in their respective counties.

Republican officials in two counties of the United States’ Arizona and Pennsylvania have refused to certify the results of the midterm elections, on Monday. This comes after the Republicans on the election boards of Cochise County in Arizona and Luzerne County in Pennsylvania have voted against the motion in their respective counties. The two GOP county supervisors on the three-person Cochise County election board have postponed the certification of the county's results and seemingly embraced voter fraud theories. Reportedly, they have raised concerns about the certification of the county’s voting machines, without evidence, while they have been repeatedly assured that the equipment is approved. Meanwhile, on Monday, secretary of state and Democrat, Katie Hobbs who had previously threatened to sue the county for not certifying the elections, filed a lawsuit. She has reportedly asked the judge to order Cochise County to canvass (the official tally of votes) the election which she said was an obligation under state law. On the other hand, Luzerne County, Pennsylvania faced a deadlock as two Democratic members in the election board moved to certify the results and two Republicans voted “no”, while the tie-breaker Democrat Daniel Schramm, abstained from voting. This comes after the county faced paper shortages on Election Day as voting centres ran out of ballots early in the day. However, Schramm, in a phone interview with Associated Press said that after the meeting on Monday, he was reassured that only a few, if any, voters could not cast their ballots because of the shortage. Additionally, he was told that all provisional ballots were accounted for previously. Therefore, Schramm said that he will move to vote in favour of certifying the results in the next meeting on Wednesday. “I wanted to research to see exactly how many people were just not allowed to vote. I couldn’t find any,” said the Democrat Schramm after election officials reportedly contacted 125 judges of elections from the county’s 187 precincts and said, “nobody being turned away.” Furthermore, the judge had extended the voting time in the Pennsylvania county by two hours on November 8 following the paper shortage. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Republican officials refuse to certify midterm elections results in Arizona, Pennsylvania counties

Republican lawmakers Cathy McMorris Rodgers and James Comer piled pressure on the Chinese short video app TikTok and its owner ByteDance on Tuesday by saying the company may have misled the Congress about how much data it shares with China.

Republican lawmakers Cathy McMorris Rodgers and James Comer piled pressure on the Chinese short video app TikTok and its owner ByteDance on Tuesday by saying the company may have misled the Congress about how much data it shares with China. "Some of the information TikTok provided during the staff briefing appears to be untrue or misleading, including that TikTok does not track US user locations," said the Republican duo in a letter to TikTok Chief Executive Shou Zi Chew. Both Rodgers and Comer are expected to set the House agenda next year after Republicans won the lower chamber in the just-concluded midterm elections. WATCH | US: Senators call TikTok a 'massive surveillance tool; Is TikTok spying on you for China? × When the Republicans formally take over the House in January, they are expected to unleash a slew of investigations ranging from Hunter Biden's laptop story to TikTok and its data policies. The ByteDance-owned app was targetted much more aggressively under former president Donald Trump's tenure and the Republicans are seemingly looking to revert to the same strategy. Earlier this month, the FBI also warned against data leaks through the app, with Director Christopher Wray telling a House panel that potential Chinese government access to users’ data or software is reason to be “extremely concerned”. Wray added that ByteDance embeds specific application programming interfaces (APIs) in the app which gives Beijing access to “control data collection of millions of users or control the recommendation algorithm, which can be used for influence operations, or to control software on millions of devices, which gives the opportunity to potentially technically compromise personal devices.” Read more: FBI director says TikTok poses ‘national security threat’, gives Beijing access to data, devices Afterwards, two US senators called TikTok a Chinese surveillance tool. “It’s not just the content you upload to TikTok but all the data on your phone, other apps, all your personal information, even facial imagery, even where your eyes are looking on your phone,” said Arkansas Republican Tom Cotton. Meanwhile, Senate Intelligence Committee chair Mark Warner, a Virginia Democrat, said the app posed “an enormous threat" while adding, “All of that data that your child is inputting and receiving, is being stored somewhere in Beijing.” The Biden administration is not in favour of inflicting a complete ban on the app like India. However, with pressure mounting from all sides and TikTok not being able to plead its case immaculately, the White House may have to rethink its strategy. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

Republicans target TikTok for sharing users’ data with China, likely to unleash probe

Expect a wild two-year ride through legislative gridlock, Republican Party investigations of President Joe Biden, and ugly campaigns for the 2024 presidential elections for which former president Donald Trump announced his candidacy even though his star power is waning.

After results that fell far short of Republican expectations, it is far from certain that Trump will be the nominee of a party he has dominated for six years. Infighting broke out even before he announced his candidacy at an event shunned by senior party establishment figures and even his daughter Ivanka, a close aide and confidante during his four years in power.

Election day was November 8 but because of complicated electoral procedures that vary from state to state, it took nine days for the announcement that Republicans had captured the 218 seats they needed to control the 435-seat chamber. Their wafer-thin majority stands in stark contrast with predictions of a “red tsunami,” red being the party colour.

The Democrats kept control of the Senate, winning 50 of the 100 seats. One Senate contest, in Georgia, will be decided in a run-off vote on December 6. It pits the Democratic incumbent, Raphael Warnock, against the Trump-backed former football star Herschel Walker. But even if Walker wins, Democrats would control a 50-50 split as Vice President Kamala Harris has the tie-breaking vote.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/democrats-retain-control-of-us-senate-after-cortez-masto-wins-nevada-reports-533660">Read more:&nbsp;Democrats retain control of US Senate with Cortez Masto's win in Nevada</a>

The election result not only surprised Republican leaders and most media prognosticators predicting a “red wave” but it also ran against a long-established historical trend. In the 22 mid-term elections from 1934 to 2018, the incumbent president’s party averaged a loss of 28 seats in the House and four in the Senate.

The reason: Republicans largely campaigned on economic issues: inflation, the high price of food and gasoline as well as rising crime and immigration. Biden and Democratic candidates focused on threats to democracy highlighted by January 6, 2021 attack on the Capitol by Trump followers trying to overturn the results of the presidential elections Biden won.

Another key theme was abortion after the Supreme Court, dominated by conservative judges, struck down a woman’s constitutional right to abortion established 47 years ago. The decision sparked demonstrations across the country.

The election featured an intervention without precedent on behalf of the Republican Party — a tweet from Elon Musk, the new owner of Twitter, to his 110 million followers. “Shared power curbs the worst excesses of both parties, therefore I recommend voting for a Republican Congress given that the Presidency is Democratic.”

It’s a simplistic argument, open for debate. Clearly, Americans paid little attention to the recommendation of the world’s richest man. Rather than curb excesses, the actual outcome of the vote, a divided congress, is more likely to result in frequent stalemates and scant chance of progress on issues of key importance for the future of the country.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/elon-musks-appeal-to-independent-minded-voters-pitches-for-republican-congress-532231">WATCH |&nbsp;Elon Musk's appeal to independent-minded voters, pitches for Republican Congress</a>

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A Republican House and a Democrat-controlled Senate make up for the standard definition of a 'gridlock'. Two legislative houses controlled by different parties with starkly different philosophies. In deeply polarised America, there is almost nothing the two parties agree on.

However, there is one important geopolitical issue on which they now see eye-to-eye — support for Ukraine since Russia unleashed a war on the country on February 24. But far-right Republicans have begun to question the massive military and financial support provided by the Biden administration and its NATO allies.

Just hours after the official result of the contest for the House was announced, it became clear that for the next two years, Republican focus would be on investigative rather than legislative efforts.

James Comer, the Kentucky Republican who is expected to chair the House Oversight and Reform Committee, announced the panel would investigate the Biden family’s financial affairs, with a focus on President Biden’s son Hunter and his business dealings in Ukraine, Russia and China.

Republicans are also planning a House Judiciary Committee probe into allegations that the Biden administration exerted undue influence on the Department of Justice and on courts pressing ahead with multiple criminal investigations arising from attempts to reverse Trump’s loss in the 2020 elections.

The former president is also facing a civil trial in New York that could wreck his financial empire. Analysts from both sides of the political divide have speculated that Trump’s announcement of his candidature was aimed to protect him from prosecution. According to the Justice Department, his status as a candidate would make no difference. But how this will play out remains to be seen.

In his speech announcing his presidential run, Trump appeared to assume he would be his party’s nominee. That would have been a reasonable bet before the mid-term elections and the defeat of candidates he endorsed in return for perpetuating his baseless assertion that the 2020 elections were stolen from him.

Now, even former allies and Rupert Murdoch’s media empire viz. the Wall Street Journal, the New York Post and Fox News,&nbsp;have begun to portray him as a loser.

In his speech announcing his third run at the presidency, Trump remarked “I am a victim. I will tell you. I am a victim,” a reference to an array of investigations and an FBI raid on his Mar-a-Largo home to seize top secret documents he had taken from the White House.

There was a succinct response from former New Jersey governor Chris Christie, once a close ally: “Republicans don’t vote for victims. They vote for leaders.”

Under Trump’s leadership, the Republican Party scored big losses in the 2018 mid-term elections; two years later he lost in the presidential race, and this year most Trump-backed candidates lost and the “red wave” turned out to be merely a trickle.

This makes little difference to the type of Trump supporters who stormed the Capitol and those who cheered the insurrection and continue to insist he won the vote. But what might change his status in the eyes of his devoted base is that Trump is becoming an object of public mockery.

The prize for diminishing the former president with ridicule goes to the once Trump-friendly New York Post which ran a front-page two days after the election with the headline ‘Trumpty Dumpty’ under a picture of Trump as an egg perched on a brick wall. The text next to the mock-up: “Don (who couldn’t build a wall) had a great fall – can all the GOP’s men put the party back together again?”

The Post, once described by Trump as his favourite paper, pushed its new-found, Murdoch-sanctioned disdain even further five days later. It buried Trump’s announcement of a 2024 run on page 26 and teased the story with a single line on the bottom of the front page: “Florida Man Makes Announcement.”

It’s difficult to imagine a jab more stinging for a man as hungry to be the centre of attention as Donald Trump.

WATCH WION LIVE HERE:&nbsp;

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Expect a wild two-year ride through legislative gridlock, Republican Party investigations of President Joe Biden, and ugly campaigns for the 2024 presidential elections for which former president Donald Trump announced his candidacy even though his star power is waning.

Expect a wild two-year ride through legislative gridlock, Republican Party investigations of President Joe Biden, and ugly campaigns for the 2024 presidential elections for which former president Donald Trump announced his candidacy even though his star power is waning. After results that fell far short of Republican expectations, it is far from certain that Trump will be the nominee of a party he has dominated for six years. Infighting broke out even before he announced his candidacy at an event shunned by senior party establishment figures and even his daughter Ivanka, a close aide and confidante during his four years in power. Election day was November 8 but because of complicated electoral procedures that vary from state to state, it took nine days for the announcement that Republicans had captured the 218 seats they needed to control the 435-seat chamber. Their wafer-thin majority stands in stark contrast with predictions of a “red tsunami,” red being the party colour. The Democrats kept control of the Senate, winning 50 of the 100 seats. One Senate contest, in Georgia, will be decided in a run-off vote on December 6. It pits the Democratic incumbent, Raphael Warnock, against the Trump-backed former football star Herschel Walker. But even if Walker wins, Democrats would control a 50-50 split as Vice President Kamala Harris has the tie-breaking vote. Read more: Democrats retain control of US Senate with Cortez Masto's win in Nevada The election result not only surprised Republican leaders and most media prognosticators predicting a “red wave” but it also ran against a long-established historical trend. In the 22 mid-term elections from 1934 to 2018, the incumbent president’s party averaged a loss of 28 seats in the House and four in the Senate. The reason: Republicans largely campaigned on economic issues: inflation, the high price of food and gasoline as well as rising crime and immigration. Biden and Democratic candidates focused on threats to democracy highlighted by January 6, 2021 attack on the Capitol by Trump followers trying to overturn the results of the presidential elections Biden won. Another key theme was abortion after the Supreme Court, dominated by conservative judges, struck down a woman’s constitutional right to abortion established 47 years ago. The decision sparked demonstrations across the country. The election featured an intervention without precedent on behalf of the Republican Party — a tweet from Elon Musk, the new owner of Twitter, to his 110 million followers. “Shared power curbs the worst excesses of both parties, therefore I recommend voting for a Republican Congress given that the Presidency is Democratic.” It’s a simplistic argument, open for debate. Clearly, Americans paid little attention to the recommendation of the world’s richest man. Rather than curb excesses, the actual outcome of the vote, a divided congress, is more likely to result in frequent stalemates and scant chance of progress on issues of key importance for the future of the country. WATCH | Elon Musk's appeal to independent-minded voters, pitches for Republican Congress × A Republican House and a Democrat-controlled Senate make up for the standard definition of a 'gridlock'. Two legislative houses controlled by different parties with starkly different philosophies. In deeply polarised America, there is almost nothing the two parties agree on. However, there is one important geopolitical issue on which they now see eye-to-eye — support for Ukraine since Russia unleashed a war on the country on February 24. But far-right Republicans have begun to question the massive military and financial support provided by the Biden administration and its NATO allies. Just hours after the official result of the contest for the House was announced, it became clear that for the next two years, Republican focus would be on investigative rather than legislative efforts. James Comer, the Kentucky Republican who is expected to chair the House Oversight and Reform Committee, announced the panel would investigate the Biden family’s financial affairs, with a focus on President Biden’s son Hunter and his business dealings in Ukraine, Russia and China. Republicans are also planning a House Judiciary Committee probe into allegations that the Biden administration exerted undue influence on the Department of Justice and on courts pressing ahead with multiple criminal investigations arising from attempts to reverse Trump’s loss in the 2020 elections. The former president is also facing a civil trial in New York that could wreck his financial empire. Analysts from both sides of the political divide have speculated that Trump’s announcement of his candidature was aimed to protect him from prosecution. According to the Justice Department, his status as a candidate would make no difference. But how this will play out remains to be seen. In his speech announcing his presidential run, Trump appeared to assume he would be his party’s nominee. That would have been a reasonable bet before the mid-term elections and the defeat of candidates he endorsed in return for perpetuating his baseless assertion that the 2020 elections were stolen from him. Now, even former allies and Rupert Murdoch’s media empire viz. the Wall Street Journal, the New York Post and Fox News, have begun to portray him as a loser. In his speech announcing his third run at the presidency, Trump remarked “I am a victim. I will tell you. I am a victim,” a reference to an array of investigations and an FBI raid on his Mar-a-Largo home to seize top secret documents he had taken from the White House. There was a succinct response from former New Jersey governor Chris Christie, once a close ally: “Republicans don’t vote for victims. They vote for leaders.” Under Trump’s leadership, the Republican Party scored big losses in the 2018 mid-term elections; two years later he lost in the presidential race, and this year most Trump-backed candidates lost and the “red wave” turned out to be merely a trickle. This makes little difference to the type of Trump supporters who stormed the Capitol and those who cheered the insurrection and continue to insist he won the vote. But what might change his status in the eyes of his devoted base is that Trump is becoming an object of public mockery. The prize for diminishing the former president with ridicule goes to the once Trump-friendly New York Post which ran a front-page two days after the election with the headline ‘Trumpty Dumpty’ under a picture of Trump as an egg perched on a brick wall. The text next to the mock-up: “Don (who couldn’t build a wall) had a great fall – can all the GOP’s men put the party back together again?” The Post, once described by Trump as his favourite paper, pushed its new-found, Murdoch-sanctioned disdain even further five days later. It buried Trump’s announcement of a 2024 run on page 26 and teased the story with a single line on the bottom of the front page: “Florida Man Makes Announcement.” It’s difficult to imagine a jab more stinging for a man as hungry to be the centre of attention as Donald Trump. WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

After America’s cliffhanger midterm elections, what next?

The Republican Party's narrow win in the house is poised to transform the agenda in Washington. This will empower GOP lawmakers to pursue conservative goals and challenge the policies of President Joe Biden.

US: Republicans' top priority is to probe Biden family

Republicans have won a majority in the House of Representatives; Democrats control the Senate. There is a clear division is the U.S. Congress, also a division with the Republicans. What does the divided state of America mean for Americans? Priyanka Sharma tells you.

Gravitas | The divided state of America: A divided Congress, a division within the House

Over a week after Midterm elections, the Republicans have managed to take control of the house, one more seat was procured by the GOP and according to the US media projections, the Republicans are now in control of 218 seats and that is the exact majority needed to head the house.

US Midterm Elections: Republicans hit majority target

Republicans have won enough seats to control the US House of Representatives, gaining the power to investigate President Joe Biden, curb spending and shape the legislative agenda in the next two years.

It's not the 'red wave' Republicans had anticipated, but it will allow the party to block Biden's agenda. While the House went to the Republicans, the Senate came under the control of the Democrats with 50 seats, setting the stage for a divided government in Washington.

The confirmation came from Edison Research which declared that Republicans won the 218 seats they needed to control the House, after they pocketed California's 27th Congressional district.

This is the first time in the 21st century that the Republicans are ahead with a narrow majority. In 2001, the GOP had just a nine-seat majority, 221-212 with two independents.

The results serves as a major setback for the party, which was riding on the economic crisis and Biden’s lagging popularity.

<h2>Donald Trump's white house bid sparking divisions among Republicans</h2>

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The results are expected to play a spoilsport to House GOP leader Kevin McCarthy’s plans to become a speaker, as some conservative members have been reticent in extending support while some have placed conditions.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/as-donald-trump-readies-to-make-2024-prez-announcement-several-republicans-express-concern-534319" hreflang="en">As Trump readies to make 2024 announcement, most Republicans express concern</a>

A blame game has already started within the Republicans, with many pointing fingers at former president Donald Trump for the worse-than-expected outcome.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/republican-election-denier-kari-lake-has-lost-governors-race-in-arizona-msnbc-forecast-says-534195" hreflang="en">Election denier Kari Lake has lost governor's race in Arizona, reports suggest</a>

Several of the candidates backed by Trump have struggled to score a victory against the Democrat rivals.

With Trump announcing a third White House bid, several Republican members have expressed apprehension at the prospect, fearing that it might have repercussions in seats where voters are still being counted.

(With inputs from agencies)

WATCH WION LIVE HERE: 

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Republicans have won enough seats to control the US House of Representatives, gaining the power to investigate President Joe Biden, curb spending and shape the legislative agenda in the next two years.

Republicans have won enough seats to control the US House of Representatives, gaining the power to investigate President Joe Biden, curb spending and shape the legislative agenda in the next two years. It's not the 'red wave' Republicans had anticipated, but it will allow the party to block Biden's agenda. While the House went to the Republicans, the Senate came under the control of the Democrats with 50 seats, setting the stage for a divided government in Washington. The confirmation came from Edison Research which declared that Republicans won the 218 seats they needed to control the House, after they pocketed California's 27th Congressional district. This is the first time in the 21st century that the Republicans are ahead with a narrow majority. In 2001, the GOP had just a nine-seat majority, 221-212 with two independents. The results serves as a major setback for the party, which was riding on the economic crisis and Biden’s lagging popularity. Donald Trump's white house bid sparking divisions among Republicans The results are expected to play a spoilsport to House GOP leader Kevin McCarthy’s plans to become a speaker, as some conservative members have been reticent in extending support while some have placed conditions. Also read | As Trump readies to make 2024 announcement, most Republicans express concern A blame game has already started within the Republicans, with many pointing fingers at former president Donald Trump for the worse-than-expected outcome. Also read | Election denier Kari Lake has lost governor's race in Arizona, reports suggest Several of the candidates backed by Trump have struggled to score a victory against the Democrat rivals. With Trump announcing a third White House bid, several Republican members have expressed apprehension at the prospect, fearing that it might have repercussions in seats where voters are still being counted. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

US midterms: Republicans get House control, setting stage for divided govt, probe on Biden

Over a week after the Midterm elections, the Republicans have managed to take control of the house. Kevin McCarthy is set to become the House Speaker. But what it means for the abortion & arms Act? Watch here.

Republicans winning House, what it means for the abortion & arms Act?

Former US President Donald Trump has announced his third bid for the White House. Will the Republicans back him? Priyanka Sharma brings you a report.

Gravitas: Trump's 2024 bid splits republicans

In a remarkable turn of events, the US Senate on Wednesday cleared a 60-vote procedural hurdle in a test of support for a long contentious bill on same-sex relationships.&nbsp;Breaking a filibuster to start off debate on passing of this landmark bill providing federal protection for same sex and interracial marriages, the Senate voted 62-37 in support of the bill. All 50 members of the Democratic caucus along with 12 Republicans voted to start a debate on the bipartisan bill.&nbsp;

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/georgias-six-week-abortion-ban-unconstitutional-rules-judge-534714">Georgia’s six-week abortion ban unconstitutional, rules judge</a>

However, as per the procedure once the bill is passed through the Senate it will require to be passed again through the House. After this, it will go to the President who will sign it into a legislation.&nbsp;It is interesting to note this comes in the backdrop of US elections vote counting where Republicans are projected to win a majority in the House. In view of this, the Democrats supporters of the bill are hoping to get the legislation passed by the end of the year.&nbsp;

After US Supreme Court struck down Roe vs Wade, the landmark 1973 decision that enshrined the constitutional right to abortion, the advocates of same sex were fearful. However, now there is hope that the rights of those in same-sex marriage would be protected.&nbsp;

The bill would not make mandatory for all states to legalize same-sex marriage but it would require individual US states to recognize another state’s legal marriage.&nbsp;An individual state could still pass a law to ban same-sex marriage in case Supreme Court overturns its 2015 Obergefell v. Hodges decision that legalised same-sex marriage.&nbsp;

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="Kevin McCarthy is Republican nominee for House speaker">Kevin McCarthy is Republican nominee for House speaker</a>

The Respect for Marriage Act must clear the 100-member Senate before it can become law. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer told CNN that he wants his chamber’s bill to pass by Thursday before senators leave for their Thanksgiving recess all next week.

WATCH |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/us-midterm-elections-republicans-hit-majority-target-534910">US Midterm Elections: Republicans hit majority target</a>

“We’re hoping that could happen,” he said. After the test vote, Schumer hoped “both sides can work quickly together to move this bill through the Senate and on to the president’s desk.” “It already passed the House earlier this year with significant 47 Republican votes and I’m optimistic we can achieve a significant result in this chamber,” he added.

&nbsp;

WATCH WION LIVE HERE

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You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us <a href="https://www.wionews.com/content-contribution-registration-form">here</a>.

In a remarkable turn of events, the US Senate on Wednesday cleared a 60-vote procedural hurdle in a test of support for a long contentious bill on same-sex relationships.

In a remarkable turn of events, the US Senate on Wednesday cleared a 60-vote procedural hurdle in a test of support for a long contentious bill on same-sex relationships. Breaking a filibuster to start off debate on passing of this landmark bill providing federal protection for same sex and interracial marriages, the Senate voted 62-37 in support of the bill. All 50 members of the Democratic caucus along with 12 Republicans voted to start a debate on the bipartisan bill. ALSO READ | Georgia’s six-week abortion ban unconstitutional, rules judge However, as per the procedure once the bill is passed through the Senate it will require to be passed again through the House. After this, it will go to the President who will sign it into a legislation. It is interesting to note this comes in the backdrop of US elections vote counting where Republicans are projected to win a majority in the House. In view of this, the Democrats supporters of the bill are hoping to get the legislation passed by the end of the year. After US Supreme Court struck down Roe vs Wade, the landmark 1973 decision that enshrined the constitutional right to abortion, the advocates of same sex were fearful. However, now there is hope that the rights of those in same-sex marriage would be protected. The bill would not make mandatory for all states to legalize same-sex marriage but it would require individual US states to recognize another state’s legal marriage. An individual state could still pass a law to ban same-sex marriage in case Supreme Court overturns its 2015 Obergefell v. Hodges decision that legalised same-sex marriage. ALSO READ | Kevin McCarthy is Republican nominee for House speaker The Respect for Marriage Act must clear the 100-member Senate before it can become law. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer told CNN that he wants his chamber’s bill to pass by Thursday before senators leave for their Thanksgiving recess all next week. WATCH | US Midterm Elections: Republicans hit majority target “We’re hoping that could happen,” he said. After the test vote, Schumer hoped “both sides can work quickly together to move this bill through the Senate and on to the president’s desk.” “It already passed the House earlier this year with significant 47 Republican votes and I’m optimistic we can achieve a significant result in this chamber,” he added. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

US Senate crosses initial hurdle in same-sex, interracial marriage protection bill

Over a week after Midterm elections, the Republicans have managed to take control of the house. Kevin McCarthy is set to become the House Speaker.

US Midterms: Republicans win the U.S. House; Kevin McCarthy to become the House Speaker

Ahead of the vote for a new speaker on January 3, Kevin McCarthy has become the Republicans' speaker nominee. McCarthy said that one-party democrat rule is over.

Kevin McCarthy is Republicans' speaker nominee: 'Washington now has a check and balance'

Kevin McCarthy has been chosen as the Republican leader in the US House of Representatives effectively putting him in prime position to become speaker if his party reclaims control of the house as expected. A senior member of the House Republican leadership since 2014, McCarthy was elected by a secret ballot.

US: Republicans choose Kevin McCarthy as party leader in house

Just a short while from now, former US President Donald Trump is expected to launch a third White House bid and plans to announce his candidacy from Mar-a-Lago state in Florida. Big announcement comes from Trump despite the dismal performance by the Republicans in the midterm elections.

US: Donald Trump poised to launch 2024 Presidential bid, Republicans split over his candidature

Foreign government officials spent hundreds of thousands of dollars at the Hotel owned by Donald Trump in Washington, D.C. Watch this report for all the details.

Trump's DC hotel: Documents detail foreign government spending

Former US President Donald Trump is expected to launch his presidential bid today from his Mar-a-Lago residence. Sensing that competition might be intense this time around, Trump has attempted to convince Ivanka Trump and Jared Kushner to speak during the announcement, according to The New York Post.

Former US President Donald Trump is expected to launch his presidential bid today from his Mar-a-Lago residence. Sensing that competition might be intense this time around, Trump has attempted to convince Ivanka Trump and Jared Kushner to speak during the announcement, according to The New York Post. Trump put forth the proposal at his daughter Tiffany Trump's wedding on Sunday, according to The New York Post. "Trump thought he could convince Ivanka this weekend to come back and campaign for him as she was the most requested speaker after the president himself last time around...but so far she's resisting his entreaties and holding firm, as is Jared," the publication noted. Read more: Tiffany, Donald Trump's daughter, marries beau Michael Boulos It added that both Ivanka and Jared feel, "they got burned in Washington and don’t want to go back and expose themselves and their children to another bitter campaign." During Trump's 2016 victorious presidential race, Ivanka and Jared played a pivotal part. Both remained in the inner circle of Trump for the next four years and had a decisive say in numerous policies of the former president. WATCH | United States: Ivanka Trump testifies in capitol riot probe × However, after Trump lost the 2020 election, the couple returned to their upscale, socialite, Indian Creek Island life in Miami. Both have been busy attending to social commitments with Jared recently releasing his memoir titled “Breaking History: A White House Memoir”. Notably, Trump has been facing a stiff contest from Florida Governor Ron DeSantis who some GOP leaders want to be projected as the next presidential candidate. The 'red wave' in the midterm elections was not as significant as Trump had promised in the run-up, further suggesting that his charisma was waning. Consequently, several voices inside GOP have suggested that Trump should not run for the 2024 election. However, Trump appears determined to give another crack to the position. As reported by WION, Trump's longtime advisor Jason Miller last week said that he "is going to announce on Tuesday that he is running for president." In Miller's words "it's gonna be a very professional, very buttoned-up announcement." Read more: Trump to make a 'very professional, very buttoned-up announcement' for presidential bid on Tuesday (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

Donald Trump asks Ivanka and Jared to join him for campaign launch: Reports

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