Democrats gloat as Republicans start over on Speaker search

Multiple Democrat House members dug into their Republican counterparts on Tuesday as the GOP conference finds itself back at square one following the collapse of House Majority Whip Tom Emmer’s (R-Minn.) Speakership nomination.

House Democrats took to social media to call out the chaos within the GOP conference and urge lawmakers to find a solution — potentially a bipartisan one — to resume the functions of the lower chamber.

Rep. Norma Torres (D-Calif.) posted a video of herself crossing out former Speaker Kevin McCarthy’s (R-Calif.) name along with the 10 Republican lawmakers who have run for Speaker in the past three weeks. The California Democrat said “nope,” after crossing off each name and attached the text, “An update – the #GOPChaosContinues!”

Reposting a video of GOP Rep. Andy Barr (Ky.) who said, “We might as well have Hakeem Jeffries and the Democrats control the Congress,” Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) wrote “Agreed,” in a post on X.

In another post on X, Rep. Steven Hosford (D-Nev.) posted a meme that said, “I would like to see the chaos,” with the words “House Republicans,” below.

“I’m convinced some of my colleagues are enjoying this crisis. “We must end the chaos,” Hosford wrote. “End the dysfunction. End the extremism. Let’s reopen the house. A bipartisan agreement appears to be the only clear path.”

Some lawmakers have argued a bipartisan solution may be the only path to a Speakership in the wake of intense GOP division.

Pushing for the election of House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.), Rep. Dwight Evans (D-Penn.) wrote on X, “It’s been 21 days & the Republicans still can’t get it together and elect a House Speaker. I believe Democratic Leader [Jeffries] is the best person to lead the House in a bipartisan manner to get things done for the American people. Republicans, work with us already!”

Reposting a reporter’s post on X about the floated idea of a joint Speakership between former Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) and Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio), Rep. Jared Moskowitz (D-Fla.) wrote, “Finally a marriage between 2 men Republicans support.”

Tuesday night, Emmer withdrew from the Speaker’s race just hours after clinching the GOP Speaker nomination, forcing the Republican conference to embark on its fourth nomination process.

The GOP conference has been entangled in turmoil since eight Republicans joined all House Democrats to boot McCarthy from the top spot earlier this month.

Emmer was the Republican conference’s third Speaker nominee in just as many weeks as division and infighting have prevented the conference from coalescing support around one candidate.

Since McCarthy’s ouster, the GOP has nominated three Speaker candidates including House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-Calif.), who dropped out after one day, as well as Jordan – who failed on the ballot three times last week before the House GOP voted to no longer back him – and Emmer, who dropped out on Tuesday hours after he was nominated.

Other Democrats are pointing to world issues that the House cannot support in its state of paralysis, including Israel’s war with Hamas and the Russia-Ukraine war.

“The House has now been shut down for three weeks,” Rep. Steny Hoyer (D-Md.) wrote in a post on X. “The world is on fire. Ukraine is being assaulted by Putin. Israel is at war. There is a lot to be done, and shutting down the House because the Republican party is so deeply divided is bad for our global security.”

Meanwhile, Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D-Wash.) took the chance to target the GOP’s policy on prescription drug costs, writing on X, “Right now, Republicans are choosing their FIFTH Speaker nominee of this Congress. But here’s the thing: no matter who they choose, it’ll be a person who voted AGAINST lowering prescription drug costs.”

“You know who voted FOR this life-saving measure? Every single House Democrat,” she continued.

Even Former Rep. Tom Malinowski (D-N.J.) chimed in, posting a mockery conversation between Democrats and Republicans.

“Democrats to Republicans: ‘Hey, you should pick a Speaker already.’ R’s: ‘We can’t” D’s: “Can we help?’ R’s: ‘No!!’ D’s: ‘OK, then pick a Speaker’ R’s: ‘We can’t’ D’s: ‘OK how about some help?’ R’s: ‘No!!!!'” Malinowski wrote.

House Republicans gathered for a candidate forum on Tuesday night to hear from another round of potential Speakers following Emmer’s withdrawal.