UPDATE: Fox News 

Majority Whip Tom Emmer, R-Minn., has dropped out of the race for speaker hours after being named House Republicans’ nominee.

Emmer won a majority of the GOP Conference on Tuesday morning after five rounds of voting, against six other potential candidates.

But it quickly became clear that he did not have enough support to outright win a House-wide vote. With Republicans’ razor-thin majority, a GOP speaker-designate can only lose four members of their own party to win the gavel without Democratic support.

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In a fierce battle of political wills within the House GOP conference, House Majority Whip Tom Emmer emerged victorious, clinching the coveted Republican nomination to be the next Speaker of the House. The suspense-filled voting process stretched across the morning, as Emmer steadily maintained his lead, and it was on the fifth vote that he sealed the nomination, cementing his place as the chosen contender.

However, it’s essential to note that Emmer’s journey to the speakership is far from smooth sailing. He will need to navigate treacherous waters, as he can only afford a mere four defections from fellow Republicans when the final vote lands on the House floor.

The road to Emmer’s nomination is marked by intense turmoil within the Republican Party. This marks the third time in quick succession that Republicans have had to select a nominee for the Speaker’s role, following the sudden departure of former Speaker Kevin McCarthy just a month ago. In their quest to fill this pivotal leadership position, the party previously attempted to rally behind Majority Leader Steve Scalise and Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan. However, both these candidates faltered when it came to securing the necessary votes on the House floor, contending with significant opposition within their own party.

Notably, the current standoff marks the second-longest period in history that the House has gone without a Speaker. A historical parallel exists, as the House found itself without a Speaker for two months in late 1855 and early 1856.

As Tom Emmer assumes the mantle of the Republican nominee for Speaker, the stage is set for a high-stakes showdown on the House floor. The nation watches with bated breath as this political drama unfolds, as the Republican Party strives to establish its leadership amidst internal divisions and historic challenges.