system
A chat on subreddit /r/NoStupidQuestions
human
&gt;And the Democrats are just sitting back laughing at them.

In a way yes, but for OP's sake we should say that technically the Democrats are all voting for one of their own. That's why there aren't enough votes to get McCarthy elected even though most Republicans want him. 

McCarthy has been making deals and pretty soon he'll have to start promising stuff to some of the Democrats to get them to cross over and give him enough votes to win.
gpt
They are trying to convince the Democrats to just not show up so that the total number for the majority goes down.  No need to betray your party, just skip a day or two.