As fun as it’s been to watch Rep. Kevin McCarthy lose again and again and again, it’s been even more fun to see some of the photos captured on the floor of Congress: Republicans scrambling and kowtowing while Democrats smile slyly, for example, or New York Republican Rep. George Santos slithering around on the periphery, hoping to find a place to fit in.
This week has been a doozy; with 13 votes and counting, McCarthy has consistently come up short. Of course, the Republicans are flipping faster than a Proud Boy insurrectionist, but it hasn’t come without concessions—so many that Rep. Matt Gaetz has said McCarthy would likely be a man in a “straightjacket” for most of his speakership.
Gaetz gave an interview Thursday where he spoke candidly about how unified the Democrats have been—so much so that he promised to “resign from the House” if one Dem flipped their vote for a “moderate Republican.”
That’s not going to happen, and neither will a clear win for McCarthy anytime soon, if trends persist. But the wrangling and shmoozing on the House floor have been fun to watch.
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The whispers between Georgia Republican Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene and the newly elected Congressman Pinocchio, aka George Santos, aka who the fuck knows if that’s even his real name at this point.
Then there’s Gaetz having a word with Rep. Ilhan Omar. If there were a thought bubble above her head, it would read something like, “Why is this white dude suddenly interested in talking to me?”
Politico reporter Nicholas Wu wrote on Twitter that a source familiar with the moment said that Gaetz "told Rep. Omar the anti-Kevin group got all they wanted, but still weren't voting for him yet."
"Her body language: leaning away from him, wants nothing to do with him. Face shows disgust mixed with puzzlement, mouth corners turned waaaay down. His presence is beyond unwelcome," commented one Twitter user, Newsweek reported.
U.S. Rep.-elect Matt Gaetz (R-FL) (R) talks to Rep.-elect Ilhan Omar (D-MN) in the House Chamber during the third day of elections for Speaker of the House at the U.S. Capitol Building on January 05, 2023 in Washington, DC.
One shot captures Santos appearing to speak with Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, as she looks like she’s high-tailing it away from him like the building is on fire.
Rep. Matt Gaetz
Another shot captures Santos making what some have alleged is an “okay” hand gesture associated with white power.
Rep.-elect George Santos (R-NY) cast his vote in the House Chamber during the third day of elections for Speaker of the House at the U.S. Capitol Building on January 05, 2023 in Washington, DC.
And another where Santos, Greene, and Rep. Jim Jordan take note of something on the ceiling. Stay focused, people!
Rep.-elect Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA), Rep.-elect George Santos (R-NY) and Rep.-elect Andy Ogles (R-TN) talk in the House Chamber during the third day of elections for Speaker of the House at the U.S. Capitol Building on January 05, 2023 in Washington, DC.
One totally surreal image is of Rep. Clay Higgins of Louisiana holding a Bible on the back of Rep. Andrew Clyde of Georgia as he stands and votes for McCarthy during the 12th round of voting in the House Chamber.
Rep.-elect Clay Higgins (R-LA) (R) puts a bible on the back of Rep.-elect Andrew Clyde (R-GA) as he votes for House Republican Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) in the House Chamber during the fourth day of elections for Speaker of the House at the U.S. Capitol Building on Jan. 6, 2023, in Washington, D.C.
Then there’s a photo that captures McCarthy after 10—11? God knows how many—losses. This just about sums it all up.
House Republican Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) listens to floor proceedings in the House Chamber during the fourth day of elections for Speaker of the House at the U.S. Capitol Building on Jan. 6, 2023, in Washington, D.C.
