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Popcorn is the stuff the great internet memes are made of, and as the third day of a historic stalled speaker election continued, Chicago Democrats ensured the city’s premier kernels made it to the U.S. House floor.
According to the Tribune, on Tuesday, January 3, House Democrats were munching on Garrett Popcorn procured by Reps. Jan Schakowsky and Robin Kelly. The popcorn tubs were to celebrate the first day of the 118th Congress. But as the House could not elect a speaker, the would-be celebratory snack turned to oral fixation while watching Republican Rep. Kevin McCarthy lose his ninth bid for House speaker.
Happy first day of the 118th Congress! I can’t wait to continue my work on behalf of Illinois’ 9th Congressional District. It could be a long day, plus I want to celebrate my 35 new Democratic colleagues, so I brought Chicago’s best, @GarrettPopcorn, to share with everyone! pic.twitter.com/uFaw3f2Y8k
— Jan Schakowsky (@janschakowsky) January 3, 2023
Garrett is a popular chain with locations in Chicago’s airports and downtown and even made an appearance at the James Beard Awards last year at the Lyric Opera of Chicago. The Chicago mix of cheddar and caramel is an item Chicagoans crave while living away from home. Schakowsky tells the Trib that she ordered “the biggest size they had,” which happened to be the Celebration size, which contains 111 cups of popcorn. That retails for $144.
Popcorn has held a special place in internet culture with memes featuring Michael Jackson, Jon Stewart, and Stephen Colbert. Former late-night star Andy Richter, a graduate of Chicago’s Columbia College, appreciated the Democrat’s choice of popcorn. The Lincoln Project also endorsed the move.
Rep. Kat Cammack accused Democrats of drinking on the House floor amid the speaker fight, prompting howls and boos across the chamber.
— POLITICO (@politico) January 4, 2023
"They want us to fight each other. That much has been made clear by the popcorn and blankets and alcohol that has come in over there," she said. pic.twitter.com/LNpwYrR6Of
Republicans cited their rival’s popcorn as evidence they weren’t taking the election seriously. Democrats brandished bags, seemingly relishing the GOP’s challenges. Republicans also chided Democrats for drinking alcohol. Hopefully, it was riesling. It pairs beautifully with Garrett’s.
