House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries began a speech in the House on Thursday that has become a multi-hour stalling tactic against the final vote for the “big, beautiful bill,” in what may become a full-blown filibuster.
Jeffries began his speech just before 5 a.m. EST, as reported by the Associated Press. “I’m going to take my time,” Jeffries began, utilizing the “magic minute” rule, which allows a speaker to continue for an unlimited amount of time.
Jeffries spoke for just shy of nine hours, clocking in at 8 hours and 44 minutes. He attacked Republicans for their allegiance to President Donald Trump, read personal accounts from Americans at risk of losing their health insurance, and covered a wide range of topics.
Jeffries called the bill’s effects on veteran benefits “an all-out assault,” referred to at-risk small businesses as “the heart and soul of the American economy,” and chastised the GOP for spreading the “lie” that recipients of the ACA “aren’t worthy.”
He also called out Republicans who had initially been against the bill, including Alaskan Republican Sen. Lisa Murkowski. The Republican senator voted for the bill, but said it “needs more work” and is not “ready for the president’s desk.”
“That is not how the people’s business should be done in the United States Congress,’’ Jeffries said.
Though the right side of the House was almost entirely empty, Jeffries was cheered on by his Democratic colleagues during his speech. Cries of “take your time” and “take your sweet time” were heard from House Democrats.
Passing the 8-hour mark-and-thirty-two minute mark, Jeffries set a record for longest speech in House history, breaking the previous record set by former Speaker of the House Kevin McCarthy in 2021.
Toward the end of the speech, Jeffries quoted from the Bible, from Matthew-25: “For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat. I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink. I was a stranger and you invited me in,” Jeffries said.
“After Project 2025 comes Project 2026,” he concluded, prompting roars from the Democrats.
Following the speech, Speaker of the House Mike Johnson took a few minutes to counter some of Jeffries main points and then held the vote. In a close vote of 218-214, Trump’s “Big Beautiful Bill” passed and is on its way to the White House, just ahead of Trump’s imposed July 4 deadline.
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