Former US President Donald Trump was put forward as a nominee for speaker of the US House of Representatives on Thursday.
The assembly was adjourned after failing to elect a new speaker for the 11th time.
Republican Party leader Kevin McCarthy has failed in every round to secure the 218 votes needed to win, and the House will now carry out a 12th round of voting on Friday.
The loss means the race is now tying for the fifth-longest speaker selection process in history - an election that took place more than 200 years ago in 1821.
Thursday's session continued for eight non-stop hours which included a speech by Matt Gaetz of Florida nominating Mr Trump, who is no longer a house member, in a symbolic but pointed sign of the broad divisions within the party.
Mr Gaetz gave a speech praising Mr Trump.
The Republicans took control of the House following the US midterm elections, where they secured a slim 222-212 majority.
However, the stalemate in the vote for a new speaker has exposed the rifts within the party in what is usually a routine vote at the start of a legislative session.
At least 200 Republicans have backed Mr McCarthy in each of the votes this week.
Although fewer than 10% of Republican lawmakers have voted against him, it is enough to deny him the 218 he needs to succeed Nancy Pelosi as speaker.
What is the hold up?
Mr McCarthy has failed to garner the support he needs to get elected speaker due to a group of 20 hardliners who continue to refuse to back him.
Mr McCarthy has served as the top House Republican since 2019 and led his party's successful effort to win control of the chamber in the 2022 midterm elections.
He secured the backing of Mr Trump, but is under growing pressure from Republicans and Democrats to get the votes so the House can resume its business.
To win support, Mr McCarthy has already agreed to many of the demands of his opponents, but has resisted implementing one of the key asks: to reinstate a rule that would allow a single lawmaker to seek a motion to vacate the chair.
This would essentially allow a lawmaker to call a House vote to oust the speaker.
With his party's slim majority, Mr McCarthy cannot afford to lose the support of more than four Republicans as Democrats united around their own candidate - Hakeem Jeffries.
The House, which is one-half of the US Congress, is essentially at a standstill: unable to launch the new session, swear in elected members and conduct official business.
Reporting by: IRN
