US Republicans try, try again with fourth speaker nominee

Congress has been at a standstill and unable to address multiple global crises, as well as the fast-approaching threat of a government shutdown, since Kevin McCarthy's historic dismissal in a far-right rebellion on October 3.

Mike Johnson (C) (R-LA) is applauded after being nominated Republican speaker of the US House of Representatives at Capitol Hill, in Washington, DC on October 24, 2023. (AFP)