US House in limbo as Steve Scalise scrambles for votes

Republicans have voted to back Steve Scalise as the next Speaker of the House of Representatives, but it is unclear if he has enough support to win an overall majority in the chamber.

He defeated hardliner Jim Jordan in a private party vote on Wednesday.

Mr Scalise, 58, must now work to unite the divided Republicans and secure the backing of most of its representatives.

Republicans hold a slim majority, meaning he can only afford to lose the support of five party members.

It is unclear when the House will be called back for that vote. A simple majority, 217, is required to win the job.

If he were to achieve that, Mr Scalise would become Speaker and end days of paralysis in the lower chamber of Congress, which began when Kevin McCarthy was ousted by hardliners in his own Republican party.