Republican Mike Johnson has been elected speaker of the US House of Representatives.

The conservative Louisiana lawmaker won with 220 votes to 209 in the Republican-controlled House on Wednesday, ending a 22-day vacuum that followed the October 3 ouster of Kevin McCarthy, the first such move in US history.

After McCarthy's removal, Republicans had nominated three fellow lawmakers for the post, but they withdrew their candidacies after failing to gain enough backing within the party.

The 51-year-old Johnson was selected as the fourth candidate on Tuesday.

He is seen as close to former President Donald Trump. US media outlets pointed out that although Johnson has less name recognition than the three other nominees, he is coolheaded and has few enemies within his party.

News organizations saw Johnson's victory achieved as a result of a show of unity by Republicans tired of prolonged party squabbling.

Without a speaker, the House has been unable to pass legislation. The question now is whether Johnson will bridge the yawning gap between the policies of hardline conservatives and moderates. Among his first tasks will be responding to President Joe Biden's urgent budget request, which includes aid for Israel and Ukraine, and discussing government spending bills for the new fiscal year.