- Several children were present on the House floor on Tuesday as the 118th Congress kicked off.
- But those hoping to see their parents sworn in were let down as GOP disarray stretched through two days.
- Yawns abounded as bored kids were forced to endure the political chaos.
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The first day of each new Congress is supposed to be a celebratory affair: Lawmakers come to the Capitol dressed in their very best, oftentimes with their entire families in tow, little kids strung along in tiny suits and dresses to observe the historic event.
But the scores of young children unlucky enough to find themselves on the House floor on the first day of the 118th Congress on Tuesday looked less than thrilled to bear witness to the chaos unfolding in the Republican Party as the GOP failed to elect a House speaker before adjourning.
The children hoping to watch their parents sworn into Congress were let down first on Tuesday and again on Wednesday as Rep. Kevin McCarthy lost six consecutive ballots for the leadership position. With an ultra-conservative faction of the Republican party stonewalling McCarthy’s bid, the speaker position remained empty as of Wednesday night when the House adjourned until noon on Thursday.
Members of Congress can’t be sworn in until a speaker is elected, so these children were waiting for a ceremony that never came.
These girls had expressions of sheer boredom.
—Howard Mortman (@HowardMortman) January 3, 2023
Some had long given up trying to stay awake.
—Howard Mortman (@HowardMortman) January 3, 2023
Yawns abounded among the young.
—This Side Op 📦 (@ThisSideOp) January 3, 2023
This toddler (and father) seemed absolutely over it.
Some kids had no choice but to wade into the thick of the disarray.
—Johnny Kunza (@johnkunza) January 3, 2023
McCarthy chatted with some children in between his repeated losses.
—Howard Mortman (@HowardMortman) January 3, 2023
Here’s hoping any youngsters dragged back for a third day get the resolution the rest of the country also awaits.
