House Republicans chose him Tom Emmer as a candidate for the presidency of the House of this Congress, yet it seems that they have not been able to overcome their internal party differences which have prevented them until now from electing a president.

Emer, the “number 3” among them Republican congressmen, took the anointing after the other candidates were eliminated in the five preceding votes. But in the final, test vote, unopposed this time, he failed to get the 217 votes needed to be elected president, as at least 20 MPs voted against him.

Emmer is the party’s fourth candidate in a row and is in the same position as the previous three: he must try to convince a small group of dissenters who have the power to dash his hopes.

“I hope we can find a different option,” he said Jim Banksone of the MPs who said they would vote against Emer in the plenary session of the Parliament.

Party MPs are due to meet later today in an attempt to resolve their differences.

Parliament has been without a president since October 3, when a small group of “rebels” overthrew him Kevin McCarthy. Because of this loophole, the House has been paralyzed and unable to pass bills, such as President Joe Biden’s request to release $106 billion for aid to Israel, Ukraine and strengthening US border security. Democrats say they are open to a compromise that would allow the House to function again. But many Republicans say they won’t vote for someone who has the support of the opposing party.