Behind-the-scenes C-SPAN footage from the House chamber shows chaos and frustration after nearly a dozen failed attempts to elect a Speaker

Under normal circumstances, C-SPAN must use cameras controlled by government employees at the House Recording Studio, which tend to be restricted to wide-angle shots.

—Howard Mortman (@HowardMortman) January 5, 2023

Source: United States House of Representatives

But, for the past week, House lawmakers have been locked in a stalemate trying to elect a Speaker of the House at the start of the 118th session of Congress.

—CSPAN (@cspan) January 5, 2023

 

Without a Speaker, C-SPAN is able to use their own cameras, giving viewers a rare, unrestricted look behind-the-scenes of the longest House Speaker election process in over a century, with GOP frontrunner Kevin McCarthy falling short of the threshold nearly a dozen times.

Source: Washington Post

Democratic Rep.-elect Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez was seen speaking with GOP Rep.-elect Paul Gosar, who once stirred controversy for sharing a violent edited anime video of him slaying her.

—Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) January 3, 2023

The edited anime, "Attack of Titan," has been co-opted by alt-right factions when discussing white supremacist narratives.

Source: Insider

Ocasio-Cortez was also seen speaking with a common adversary in the chamber, Rep.-elect Matt Gaetz. She later said that Gaetz told her McCarthy was trying to convince the GOP that he could cut a deal with Democrats to give him the gavel, to which Ocasio-Cortez responded, "absolutely not."

—The Recount (@therecount) January 3, 2023

 

Source: Insider, The Intercept

GOP Rep.-elect George Santos, who, in December, admitted to fabricating parts of his resume, was seen sitting alone in the chamber scrolling on his phone and, at one point, yawning.

—Jim Bourg (@jimbourg) January 3, 2023

 

Source: Insider

Santos, who was reportedly booed by House Democrats for casting a vote for McCarthy on the first day, was also seen scrambling to cast his vote after missing his name during roll call while engrossed in conversation with another lawmaker.

—Nate Morris (@_natemorris) January 4, 2023

 

As Republican holdouts prompt further delay in electing a Speaker, Democrats, who have stood united behind their nominee Rep.-elect Hakeem Jeffries, were captured looking amused by the turmoil across the aisle.

—Omar Moore (@thepopcornreel) January 5, 2023

 

Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi was seen reading a New Yorker article about McCarthy's bid for the gavel titled, "What will Kevin McCarthy do to gain power."

Source: New Yorker, Insider

One thing all lawmakers in the House could rally behind was a standing ovation for Clerk of the House Cheryl Johnson, who has been running roll call votes during the election process.

—CSPAN (@cspan) January 5, 2023

The lower chamber of Congress currently cannot seat members without an elected Speaker. Because of this, House Clerk Cheryl Johnson has presided over the House, conducting the votes for House Speaker and controlling the chamber in the midst of a chaotic session.

Some Democrats were so amused that they brought their own popcorn.

—Ted Lieu (@tedlieu) January 3, 2023

 

As the House vote drags into its fourth day, lawmakers and their family members alike were seen exhausted by the multiple rounds of roll call votes.

—Howard Mortman (@HowardMortman) January 3, 2023

Source: Insider

Some lawmakers, including Democratic Reps.-elect Jimmy Gomez and Joaquin Castro, brought their babies with them to the House floor, toting baby blankets and diaper bags in between votes.

—Rep. Jimmy Gomez (@RepJimmyGomez) January 3, 2023

—Rep. Jimmy Gomez (@RepJimmyGomez) January 5, 2023

 

C-SPAN's control of their cameras has also proven lucrative for the public network, boosting their ratings by 161% since the election for the Speaker began.

Source: Morning Brew