03-07-2025
Hakeem Jeffries talks down Trump's mega bill
A few lawmakers began nodding off in the House chamber during a marathon overnight session while pushing back against President Trump's 'Big, Beautiful Bill.' While Republicans worked to gather the votes necessary for final passage of the massive Trump-backed bill Wednesday night and into Thursday morning, Democrats , led by House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, deployed delay tactics.
The New York Democrat took to the floor just before 5:00 am ET to begin an arduous, hours-long speech about the dangers presented by the GOP legislation. 'I feel the obligation Mr. Speaker to stand on this House floor and take my sweet time,' the Democrat leader proclaimed well into his remarks. His speech began with stories of Americans who could be impacted by the Trump bill's cuts to Medicaid and social programs.
As of 9:45 am ET, the New Yorker was still droning on while several of his fellow Democrats could be seen behind him with eyes closed and heads folded down. Despite his enthusiasm for hampering the GOP's plans, his colleagues seemed less excited. In fact, many appeared to be asleep.
'Bedtime stories by Hakeem: The one time we voted against the largest tax cut for hardworking Americans in history.' Rep. Sylvia Garcia, D-Texas, was seen with her head down and eyes closed as House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries spoke in opposition to Trump's 'Big, Beautiful Bill.' Several dozen Democrats rotated in and out of the chamber while the leader was speaking.
It appears that Jeffries may be taking a run at former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy's record-setting speech in 2021 that lasted just over 8.5 hours. While serving as House Minority Leader at the time, McCarthy lambasted former President Joe Biden's Build Back Better plan.
The former Republican spoke from 8:38 pm until 5:10 am in opposition to the Democrats' policy agenda. Before McCarthy, former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., held the record for the longest House speech. She delivered an 8-hour and 7-minute address about the importance of protecting the children of illegal immigrants, known as DREAMers.
