Democratic Rep. Katie Porter was seen peacefully reading a book amid chaotic scenes in the House chambers yesterday as Republican Rep. Mike Rogers of Alabama was restrained as he lunged at fellow Florida resident Matt Gaetz.
Porter sat in a bright orange dress as she appeared to be reading the opening chapters of The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck. The color of the dust cover matched both her attire and the name of the county she represents – Orange County.
The book, subtitled A Counterintuitive Approach to Living a Good Life, is a bestselling self-help guide by American blogger Mark Manson that advocates letting go of things that are outside of one’s control.
Democratic Rep. Katie Porter was seen peacefully reading a book amid chaotic scenes in the House of Representatives chamber yesterday
Alabama Rep. Mike Rogers is reticent after yelling at Florida Rep. Matt Gaetz
These were the scenes on the ground on January 6th – the fourth and final day of voting for a House Speaker that ended with Kevin McCarthy finally being elected after 15 rounds of voting.
Porter later addressed Republican struggles in the run-up to McCarthy’s protracted election on Twitter, saying, “The 15th time is the appeal, apparently.”
“Americans deserve more than Republicans’ inability to govern,” she added.
Her color coordination earlier in the day led some users to accuse her of staging the scene and one to call her attention seekers.
However, the move was divisive as many of her supporters rallied behind her. Democratic social media activist Jack Cocchiarella called her an “icon.”
Another Twitter user wrote: “Damn love Katie Porter…just does her thing while the kids fight across the house.”
However, one person joked that the book’s title could also be seen as a reference to a recent scandal she was involved in after she was accused of ignoring reports of sexual misconduct at her office.
‘Rep. Katie Porter is reading The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck, they said. “Which is also her attitude towards sexual harassment complaints at her office, according to former employees.”
Porter later addressed the Republican struggles in the run-up to McCarthy’s protracted election on Twitter, saying, “The 15th time is the appeal, apparently.”
Democratic social media activist Jack Cocchiarella called Porter an “icon”
Alabama Rep. Mike Rogers is reticent after shouting at Florida’s Matt Gaetz
‘That was easy, huh?’ McCarthy began his victory speech shortly after Rogers had to be stopped from attacking Florida Rep. Matt Gaetz.
The two Republicans nearly got into a fight over Gaetz’s refusal to support McCarthy in the 14th vote, costing him that fight.
The California Republican immediately approached Gaetz and Boebert, presumably intending to persuade them to change their “current” votes to “yes.”
Just then, Rep. Mike Rogers of Alabama approached and appeared to lunge at Gaetz, resulting in Rep. Richard Hudson of North Carolina dramatically restraining him.
Another stunning photo taken in the House of Representatives on Friday showed Trump ally Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia trying to hand her phone to Montana Rep. Matt Rosendale so he could answer Trump on why he is refused to vote for McCarthy.
She reportedly went to Rosendale and told him Trump was on the phone and that Rosendale needed to speak to him. “Don’t you ever do me like that,” Rosendale reportedly said to her.
Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia tried to hand her phone to Montana Rep. Matt Rosendale so he could answer Trump about why he refused to vote for McCarthy
House Speaker Kevin McCarthy of California points to the newly installed nameplate in his office after being sworn in as Speaker of the 118th Congress in Washington
McCarthy said among the problems he will face head on are the national debt and the “Chinese Communist Party”.
MP Katie Porter denied firing a staff member for giving her COVID-19 after a text message exchange surfaced
Porter was also accused in late December of firing an employee for giving her COVID-19 — an allegation she denied.
Screenshots of text messages said to have been between Porter and former employee Sasha Georgiades suggest Porter told Georgiades “You gave me Covid” and the employee’s apology or explanation that she had not tested for the virus Not recognized because she was preoccupied with the death of a friend.
The text exchange took place in July, and Porter’s office said the staffer was working on a two-year fellowship at the time, which had long been due to end in August. Georgiades also confirmed to Politico that she was not fired but had planned to leave.
“Congresswoman Porter informed her that she would be working from home for the remaining three weeks of her scholarship,” Porter spokesman Jordan Wong told
“Why didn’t you follow office protocol when testing? It’s really disappointing,” Porter said in July. ‘I’m very sorry. You’re right, I should have done better. Just because I felt okay at the moment doesn’t mean I was,” the employee wrote back.
“Sasha – I can’t let you back into the office as you’re not following office policy. Cody will be in touch with you when (sic) your personal items are being shipped or delivered to your home and will establish your remote work schedule and responsibilities for the past few weeks,” Porter said.
Georgiades went on to thank Porter, telling her: “I hate disappointing you in this way as I know that’s no excuse for finding out a friend was murdered by the Navy and my head isn’t in.” that was the right place. Not an apology but justification for the lack of foresight. I appreciate everything this office has done for me.’
Porter fired back: “Well you gave me Covid. In 25 months you broke the rules to make me sick. My children have no one to take care of them.’
Georgiades was a Wounded Warrior Fellow who worked in Porter’s office as a liaison for veterans and service members. She told Politico that she was not fired, but effectively banned from the office after the incident.