WASHINGTON, Jan. 6 (Xinhua) -- The bitter battle over the speakership of the U.S. House of Representatives resumed on Friday against the backdrop of the second anniversary of the Capitol riot.
U.S. Congressman Kevin McCarthy from California, the House Republican leader, fell short of the necessary votes to take the speaker gavel in 11 ballots over the past three days, making the contest the longest in 164 years.
The House kicked off the 12th round of voting on Friday afternoon as the historic deadlock drags on, paralyzing the lower chamber three days after the new and divided 118th Congress convened.
Earlier in the day, House Democrats and -- reportedly only one Republican -- gathered on the steps of the Capitol to mark the second anniversary of the Jan. 6, 2021, attack. ■
