Mike Johnson was re-elected as Speaker of the US House with a narrow victory, securing 218 votes against Hakeem Jeffries' 215, amid ongoing partisan tensions.
At a daily news briefing in Beijing, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin condemned the move. US President Joe Biden has said if Congress passes the measure, he will sign it.
The measure is also the latest in a series of moves in Washington to respond to US national security concerns about China, from connected vehicles to advanced artificial intelligence chips to cranes at US ports.
The decision to hold a vote came as House Speaker Mike Johnson and his leadership team faced growing pressure to show progress in what has become a nearly yearlong probe centred around the business dealings of Biden's family members.
The historic ouster was driven by a coalition of hard-right conservatives, with Rep. Matt Gaetz leading the charge. Following a close vote, the speaker's office was declared vacant, and Rep. Patrick McHenry assumed the role of speaker pro tempore until a new speaker is elected.
Speaker Kevin McCarthy presented the stopgap proposal just hours before the midnight deadline, which, if not met, would have resulted in millions of federal employees and military personnel either being sent home or required to work without pay.
After four days of gruelling ballots, McCarthy flipped more than a dozen conservative holdouts to become supporters, including the chairman of the chamber’s Freedom Caucus.
Needing 218 votes in the full House, McCarthy got just 203 in two rounds - less even than Democrat Hakeem Jeffries in the GOP-controlled chamber - and fared even worse with 202 in round three.
The bill, which would ensure that same-sex and interracial marriages are enshrined in federal law, was approved 61-36 on Tuesday, including support from 12 Republicans.
US midterm polls: A tenuous majority will provide immediate concerns for GOP leaders and also likely to complicate the party's capability to govern.
Same-sex marriage bill: Polling showed a majority of Americans favoured preserving rights to marry, regardless of sex, gender, race, or ethnicity, a long-building shift in modern mores toward inclusion.
Recognising the historical and religious significance of Diwali, the resolution expresses its deepest respect for Indian-Americans and Indian diaspora throughout the world on this significant occasion, Krishnamoorthi said.
Ten Republicans fled Trump, joining Democrats who said he needed to be held accountable and warned ominously of a “clear and present danger” if Congress should leave him unchecked before Democrat Joe Biden’s inauguration Jan. 20.
The US House of Representatives is all set to vote on articles of impeachment against President Donald Trump on Wednesday, thus opening the possibility of him becoming the only president in American history to be impeached twice.
US President Donald Trump on Tuesday had said that the impeachment proceedings against him being moved forward by the Democrats is ridiculous and is continuation of the greatest witch hunt in American political history.
The Democrats plan to vote on impeachment on Wednesday. Trump is the first president in the American history to be impeached twice.
The bill also notes that the US President cannot issue a separate designation of Pakistan as a Major NATO ally, unless a presidential certification that Pakistan continues to conduct military operations that are contributing to significantly disrupting the safe haven and freedom of movement of the Haqqani Network in Pakistan.
Trump rejected the defense bill last week, saying it failed to limit social media companies he claims were biased against him during his failed reelection campaign. Trump also opposes language that allows for the renaming of military bases that honor Confederate leaders.
The resolution recognised the significance of the genuine autonomy of Tibet and the Tibetan people, and the work done by 14th Dalai Lama to promote global peace, harmony and understanding.
Top US lawmakers greeted Indian-Americans on the occasion of Diwali as Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi introduced a resolution in the House of Representatives recognising the religious and historical significance of the festival of lights.
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