Hakeem Jeffries: Democrat sets record with 8.5-hr speech before vote on Trump bill | World News
Representative and Democrat Hakeem Jeffries took his “sweet little time” to criticise Donald Trump’s ‘Big Beautiful Bill’ – 8 hours and 44 minutes! Moments later, GOP cleared it without breaking a sweat.Jeffries kicked off his verbal marathon at 4.53am and finally wrapped up at 1.37pm (local time), outlasting Kevin McCarthy’s 2021 record by 12 minutes. McCarthy had famously ranted for 8 hours and 32 minutes against the Democrats’ “Build Back Better” bill, a filibuster-style spectacle that itself had eclipsed Nancy Pelosi’s 8-hour-7-minute 2018 speech on immigration.
Jeffries may not have technically filibustered, that’s a Senate specialty, but his magic-minute monologue sure felt like one, as he joined the tradition of epic (and ultimately futile) House floor talkathons.
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How it started
“I feel an obligation, Mr. Speaker, to stand on this House floor and take my sweet time,” Jeffries said as he opened.He focused heavily on how the bill would affect Medicaid recipients, sharing messages from individuals who depend on government health care or have loved ones covered by Medicaid.“What is contemplated in this one big, ugly bill is wrong. It’s dangerous, and it’s cruel, and cruelty should not be either the objective or the outcome of legislation that we consider here in the United States House of Representatives,” he said, arguing that it was “cruel” to cut Medicaid.
How it went on, and on, and on
Jeffries sustained himself through the marathon speech by sneaking in small bite of snacks and sipping drinks to stay energized, all while remaining firmly at his podium. Under House rules, stepping away from the chamber or even his speaking post would have automatically ended his remarks. So, despite the long hours and mounting fatigue, he stayed put, determined to keep the floor and make full use of his “magic minute” to delay the vote and voice his opposition.
How it ended
He wrapped up his speech with the powerful cadence of a Sunday sermon, as the Democratic caucus gathered closely around him in solidarity. One colleague urged him on, calling out, “Bring it home, Hakeem!”He concluded with remarks by Martin Luther King Jr, who urged people to “press on and keep pressing.” “As I take my seat, I just want to say to the American people that no matter what the outcome is on this singular day, we’re going to press on,” he declared, before passionately listing more than a dozen communities he vowed to keep standing up for.“Press on for the left behind. Press on for the rule of law. Press on for the American way of life. Press on for democracy. We’re going to press on until victory is won. I yield back.”Democrats erupted in loud applause, cheered his name, and warmly embraced him with hugs once he concluded his remarks.
