Latest news with #HakeemJeffries'
New York Post
03-07-2025
- Politics
- New York Post
Dems drag rep from camera view after she dozed off during Hakeem Jeffries' grandstanding speech
What a snooze. Democrats were forced to tap out one of their own members during House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries' 'magic minute' grandstanding speech to delay passage of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act — after she kept dozing off. Seated two rows behind Jeffries (D-NY) for his final stand against the GOP megabill was Rep. Marcy Kaptur (D-Ohio) in prime view for the C-SPAN cameras, but the 79-year-old kept nodding off. Jeffries (D-NY) had taken to the House floor to stall Republicans around 4:53 a.m. after the lower chamber worked through the night. About an hour and a half later, a Democrat tapped Kaptur on the shoulder and Rep. Sarah McBride (D-Del.) took her seat. Almost all of the House Republicans had left the chamber for Jeffries' speech, which was intended to stall for as long as possible. 3 Rep. Marcy Kaptur looked exhausted as the House went through an all-nighter to consider the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. C-SPAN 3 The Ohio rep has served in Congress since 1983 and is one of five House Democrats from the Buckeye State. CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images Democrats made sure to have enough members around Jeffries in plain view for the public to see. GOP leadership kept the House in session all through the night Wednesday into Thursday as it scrambled to get enough of its ultra-slim majority onboard to pass the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. Some lawmakers had snuck off to their offices or other spaces to get a little shut-eye, while others attempted to power through the marathon session. A little after 3 a.m. Republicans managed to break through a procedural deadlock after four holdouts acquiesced. Following a brief debate, Jeffries tapped into his 'magic minute,' which gives party leaders in the House the ability to address the chamber as long as they wish. Jeffries read through various letters from constituents conveying their fears about the Medicaid and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) reforms in the megabill. The top Democrat also ran through GOP criticism of the legislative bundle in a bid to maximize the delay. Republicans had faced a bruising process to get President Trump's marquee legislative agenda package across the finish line, having mounted an aggressive pressure campaign against members and working through the various competing interests within their caucus. 3 Democrats were keen on ensuring good optics during Hakeem Jeffries' final stand against the GOP megabill. C-SPAN In May, multiple committees pulled all-nighters, and several lawmakers went viral for dozing off while working through key components of the mammoth bill. Earlier this week, the Senate worked through the night as well so that Republicans could sort through their differences and finish modifying the megabill. GOP leaders had set a goal of getting the One Big Beautiful Bill Act to Trump's desk by the Fourth of July. They leveraged the fast-approaching holiday and long hours to maximize pressure on their members to put aside their reservations and back the megabill.
Newsweek
03-07-2025
- Politics
- Newsweek
Hakeem Jeffries' 'Magic Minute' Stretches Past an Hour
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries' "magic minute" speech is still going after an hour as Republicans race to pass President Donald Trump's One Big Beautiful Bill Act before a self-imposed July 4 deadline. While other members of the House of Representatives have time limits on the length of time they can speak during debates, party leaders receive a procedural perk known as the "magic minute." Precedent treats that minute as elastic and they may keep the floor indefinitely until they voluntarily yield. "Just took to the House Floor to speak in support of a country where everyone can afford to live the good life," Jeffries wrote on X, formerly Twitter, early Thursday. "And in strong opposition to Trump's One Big Ugly Bill that is devastating to everyday Americans. We will not be silenced." House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) gives remarks during a press conference with House Democrats, denouncing the Senate-passed spending bill on the steps of the US Capitol Building in Washington DC, on Wednesday, July 2,... House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) gives remarks during a press conference with House Democrats, denouncing the Senate-passed spending bill on the steps of the US Capitol Building in Washington DC, on Wednesday, July 2, 2025. More Aaron Schwartz/Sipa via AP Images The Democrat began his speech at 4:53 a.m. ET. More to follow.
Axios
18-03-2025
- Health
- Axios
Democrats hammer GOP on Medicaid after weeks of turmoil
Democrats in Congress are attempting to reset after a chaotic few weeks with a "Medicaid Day of Action" on Tuesday aimed at putting Republicans back on the defensive. Why it matters: The first half of March has been dominated by headlines about disruptions at President Trump's speech to Congress and internal divisions over shutting down the government. Democrats are now trying to turn their attention back to what has been giving them and their grassroots allies juice since January: Republicans' planned reconciliation bill. Republicans will likely have to pare down Medicaid spending to reach the spending cuts they need to pass roughly $4.5 trillion in tax cuts. State of play: The Democratic Policy and Communications Committee — House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries' (D-N.Y.) messaging arm — sent guidance to House offices urging them to hold Day of Action events. The messaging alert includes talking points, such as: "Republicans want to cut Medicaid to give their billionaire donors yet another tax break. Democrats are fighting to save Medicaid and protect Americans' care." It also directs offices to a microsite and fact-sheets on the topic. Driving the news: Jeffries and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) kicked off the day with a joint statement vowing to "oppose the largest Medicaid cut in American history."
