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Former US President Donald Trump has urged fellow Republicans in the House of Representatives to elect his ally Kevin McCarthy to lead the chamber.
McCarthy, a congressman from California, who has served as the top House Republican since 2019, has weathered three failed votes for House speaker.
Voting on the fourth ballot is underway, but McCarthy already lacks the votes needed to become House Speaker, and a fifth ballot will be required.
The last time the House failed to elect a speaker on the first ballot was 1923.
Washington correspondent Kate Fisher spoke to Charlotte Cook on Morning Report.