Photos show members of Congress reading comic books and bringing their pets to the House floor as the GOP speaker gridlock continues

After 12 rounds of voting as of Friday afternoon, Republican leader Kevin McCarthy still has not succeeded in his bid to become speaker of the House.

As a result of the GOP's slim majority in the House of Representatives, McCarthy needs the support of nearly all Republicans to reach the necessary 218 votes to become speaker.

A group of 20 Republicans, members of the far-right House Freedom Caucus, have repeatedly withheld their support since the start of the 118th Congress on Tuesday.

By Friday afternoon and the fourth day of voting, and after lengthy behind-the-scenes negotiations, 13 of those Republicans flipped in favor of McCarthy in the 12th ballot.

Though with seven holdouts, the California Republican still lacks a majority to become House speaker, and a 13th ballot is expected.

 

Photos from inside the House chamber show the growing frustration — and boredom — with the proceedings.

McCarthy rubbed his eyes as votes came in on Wednesday.

The four-day standstill means that the House currently has zero members. It cannot swear-in lawmakers, introduce any bills, or pass legislation until a speaker is elected. Basic functioning of the members' offices, such as committee work and constituent services have also been brought to a halt.

Republican Rep. Blake Moore of Utah slumped in his seat on day two.

Moore, who voted for McCarthy, told CNN on Tuesday that Republicans, "for better or worse, notoriously, don't always fall in line."

On day three, Rep. Zoe Lofgren, a Democrat from California, apparently took to reading comics on the House floor.

Other members of Congress read the newspaper.

McCarthy's reflection was visible in a lectern as Rep. Elise Stefanik tallied votes in his unsuccessful bid on day three.

McCarthy failed to earn the necessary votes on several consecutive ballots.

Family duty was on display in the chamber.

The start of a new Congress is usually a ceremonial occasion for members, who often bring their family members — spouses, children — with them on the first day to celebrate their swearing-in. But still, no members have yet taken their oaths of office.

Photos captured lawmakers multi-tasking at votes, taking care of their children as they waited out the process. 

Before the ninth vote began, Rep. Linda Sanchez of California played a game on her tablet.

Sanchez tweeted on Wednesday that McCarthy was having a "terrible, horrible, no-good, very bad day," a reference to the classic children's book "Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day."

GOP Rep. Matt Gaetz of Florida was captured in a conversation with Democratic Rep. Ilhan Omar of Minnesota.

Over the hours, members have been crossing the aisle across the House chamber to chat with their colleagues as they wait.

Republican Rep. Steve Womack was photographed yawning during the 11th round of votes.

The Arkansas Republican sat next to Rep. Hal Rogers of Kentucky.

Republican lawmakers have been negotiating in the chamber and outside of it.

Throughout votes, Republican lawmakers have been huddling to discuss a deal to move forward, both within the chamber and outside of it.

New York Rep.-elect George Santos, who was recently revealed to have fabricated much of his resume, joked with another controversial GOP member, Marjorie Taylor Greene.

Freshman Rep.-elect George Santos of New York, who's been mired in mounting scandal, is seen laughing with Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia.

Rep.-elect Nancy Mace of South Carolina brought her dog, Libby, to the House floor.

When asked by a reporter if dogs were allowed in the House chamber, Mace replied that "there are no rules right now," the Independent reported.

McCarthy's wife, Judy Wages, sat above a sign indicating votes to adjourn.

"I don't know if we will get there today, but we are going to make progress," McCarthy told Bloomberg News reporter Erik Wasson as he entered the Capitol on Friday, the fourth day of voting.