Republican Mike Johnson has been elected US House of Representatives speaker, the second-most powerful job in Washington, after weeks of party infighting left the country's political system in chaos.
The Louisiana legislator has been a vocal supporter of former president Donald Trump and was a key congressional figure in the failed efforts to overturn the 2020 election.
There were 220 votes for Johnson and 209 votes for Democrat Hakeem Jeffries. There was unanimous GOP support behind Johnson.
The vote capped off a chaotic day that started with Republicans picking Minnesota Representative Tom Emmer to be their latest nominee only for him to drop out hours later after facing stiff resistance from the right flank of the conference and a rebuke from Trump.
The day ended with a vote to elect a new nominee – this time, Johnson won out.
More to come.
