Democrats rejoice as Republican vote for speaker becomes a mess as lawmakers release photos of popcorn

Democrats bask in the internal chaos of the House GOP conference as leader Kevin McCarthy falls well short of the 218 votes he needs to become Speaker.

“About going to floor of house,” Rep. Ted Lieu, D-Calif., tweeted along with a photo of himself holding a bag of popcorn.

Rep. Robyn Kelly, D-Ill., posted a similar tweet of herself delivering a can of popcorn to the speaker’s lobby.

Rep. Mike Quigley, D-Ill., wrote on Twitter: “Hunter Thompson was right: when things get weird, the weird turns pro. That brings us a Republican majority: chaos. The Democrats are here and ready to do our job for the country. Republican disorder is getting in the way.”

In the Speaker’s first and second votes, 19 Republicans vote against McCarthy, D-Calif., leaving him behind House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries. McCarthy can only afford to lose four votes.

‘Day one. House Dems are united and ready to get to work. Complete chaos across the aisle,” Jeffries, DN.Y., wrote on Twitter.

Rep. Pete Aguilar, D-Calif., in nominating Jeffries for speaker, emphasized the unity among Democrats as opposed to their peers. He praised Jeffries while firing at the Republican leader.

“He’s not trading extremism, he’s not cringing or apologizing for a twice-indicted so-called former president,” Aguilar said.

Trump has continued to support McCarthy’s bid as speaker. Despite the fact that most lawmakers opposed to the California Republican come from districts won by Trump, the former president’s support seems insufficient.

“McCarthy must be red as a tomato right now because he’s embarrassed about getting fewer votes than Jeffries,” said Rep. Jamaal Bowman, DN.Y.

“Looks like we might be here for a while…the House GOP caucus is off to a really good start,” Rep. Pramila Jayapal, D-Wash., wrote on Twitter.

Rep. Ruben Gallego, D-Ariz., also posted a photo of popcorn: We’ll break out the popcorn at The Caucus until the Republicans get their act together.

It was the first time in 100 years that a speaker was not chosen on the first ballot.

“Modern history was just written on the floor,” tweeted Rep. Eric Swalwell, D-Calif. ’19 @HouseGOP just voted against McCarthy. They’re all in now. Anyone who changes their vote might as well resign from Congress. You will never be taken seriously again.’

McCarthy has promised to remove Swalwell from the House Intelligence Committee if he is elected speaker over his links to a suspected Chinese spy.

“Kevin McCarthy just lost his first voice as speaker,” tweeted Rep. Jim McGovern, D-Mass. “It’s his own fault. Republicans have bent over backwards for the far right, the refusers and the QAnon Alu Hat Brigade. The extremists kidnapped his party. Now they’re trying to hijack Congress. We will fight back.’

On the first vote, the anti-McCarthy votes were split among Rep. Andy Biggs, R-Ariz., and other members. On the second ballot, they all united behind Rep. Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, who himself supports McCarthy.

“The top Republican voters for Speaker of the House are Kevin McCarthy, Andy Biggs and Jim Jordan. Republicans are confused, but they all agree they want a leader who has dodged a congressional subpoena to hide January 6 evidence from the American people,” wrote Rep. Don Beyer, D -Va., on Twitter.