Hakeem Jeffries Postpones House Vote with Extended Speech Against Trump’s Policy Bill


Representative Hakeem Jeffries of New York, the Democratic leader, engaged in a lengthy speech in the House on Thursday morning, lasting over six hours, to oppose the Republicans’ signature legislation that supports President Trump’s domestic agenda.

Beginning his remarks before dawn, Mr. Jeffries expressed his intention to take his time with the speech. While not a filibuster, he utilized a House tradition known as a “magic minute” to extend his speaking time well beyond the standard 60 seconds, aiming to present a strong case against President Trump and his policies.

This speech represented the final Democratic effort to delay the passage of the Republican bill aimed at extending tax cuts and reducing social safety net programs, which President Trump has indicated he wishes to sign by July 4. However, the speech was not expected to prevent the bill from moving forward.

In his remarks, Mr. Jeffries criticized the title of the bill, the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, stating, “Republicans are trying to jam this one, big, ugly bill down the throats of the American people.” He urged lawmakers to oppose the legislation, highlighting the potential negative impacts on vulnerable Americans due to cuts to programs like Medicaid and SNAP food assistance.

“Leadership requires courage, conviction, compassion — and yet what we have seen from this administration and co-conspirators on the Republican side of the aisle is cruelty, chaos and corruption,” he stated, characterizing the bill as “an extraordinary assault on the health care of the American people.”

Mr. Jeffries, who spoke methodically and referenced a binder of notes, addressed a mostly empty House chamber, with some Democratic colleagues present to offer support through applause at certain moments.

He still had a way to go to break the record for the longest “magic minute” speech, which was set in 2021 by Representative Kevin McCarthy, who spoke for over eight hours to delay a vote on a $2 trillion Democratic bill focused on enhancing the social safety net and addressing climate change.

Speaker Mike Johnson is anticipated to address the chamber following Mr. Jeffries’ conclusion. While he also has unlimited speaking time, he indicated earlier that he expects his remarks to be significantly shorter than those of the Democratic leader. A vote on the bill is expected soon after Mr. Johnson’s speech.





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