MN's Rep. Tom Emmer Wins Nomination For U.S. House Speaker

UPDATE: MN's Tom Emmer Drops Out Of U.S. House Speaker Race

WASHINGTON, MN — Republicans in the U.S. House have nominated Rep. Tom Emmer of Minnesota to be the next speaker.

Emmer beat out Rep. Mike Johnson, of Louisiana, and others for the nomination after several rounds of voting Tuesday morning. Emmer, who represents Minnesota's sixth district, is now the Speaker-designate.

But Emmer, who currently holds the House majority whip job, must face a full vote on the House floor.

The GOP-controlled House is now in its 21st day without a speaker after Matt Gaetz and six other combative conservative representatives ousted Kevin McCarthy from the job.

Gaetz is now backing Emmer, Jake Sherman reported.

The dysfunction and in-fighting in the chamber has become increasingly embarrassing for the Republicans, who are unable to move forward with any legislation until they choose a speaker.

After Rep. Jim Jordan's candidacy for speaker flamed out last week, Emmer became the frontrunner, Punchbowl News reported.

Boosting his candidacy this week is news that some Democrats might refrain from voting if Emmer is up for speaker, making it easier for him to achieve a majority of votes and become speaker.

"The dysfunction in the House is a national and global security issue," Rep. Dean Phillips, a Democrat whose Minnesota district borders Emmer's, said in a statement Tuesday morning.

"I would sit-out the Speaker vote if Tom Emmer will fund our government at negotiated levels, bring Ukraine and Israel aid bills to the floor, and commit to rules changes to make Congress work for the people."