Hours after Donald Trump refused to say if he was behind Kevin McCarthy in the race to become House speaker, the congressman claimed he still had the president's support.
The 118th Congress of the United States of America convenes in Washington.
McCarthy told reporters late on Tuesday that Trump had already reiterated his support.
McCarthy said the former president wanted him to bring an end to the chaos and unite the Republicans.
Despite failing to win the speakership in the first three rounds of voting, the Republican lawmaker insisted he wouldn't be forced out of the race.
McCarthy attended a closed door meeting with his allies.
In an interview with NBC News, Trump was non-committal about his support for McCarthy. Trump said he had been getting calls from people who wanted to support him. The former president was asked if he would continue to back McCarthy. Trump said in an interview that he deserved the shot in McCarthy's bid. The former President said the Republicans were playing a very dangerous game. The California lawmaker was the first lawmaker to meet the former president after the riots.
After three rounds of voting, McCarthy failed to get the 218 votes he needed to become the speaker. The California Republican was opposed by a group of conservatives who supported other candidates. McCarthy received 202 votes while Jim Jordan received 20 votes. The House is expected to be in session again at noon Wednesday. Democrats presented a united front when they voted for Hakeem Jeffries to be speaker. For the first time in 100 years, voting for the House speaker went past the first round.
According to a report, Trump Declines to keep Endorsing McCarthy for Speaker.
McCarthy's bid for speaker is supported by Trump.
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