By House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries launched into a pre-dawn monologue Wednesday morning, deploying a seldom-used procedural tactic known as the “magic minute” to delay final passage of President Donald Trump’s omnibus spending bill. The effort, which stretched more than four hours beginning at 4:53 a.m., ultimately proved fruitless—except, perhaps, in testing the stamina of his own caucus.
Jeffries, speaking at length before a visibly fatigued chamber, denounced the legislation as a “disgusting, abomination” and accused Republicans of gutting social safety nets to benefit the wealthy. Throughout the speech, Jeffries also offered praise for his party’s committee leaders and thanked the Democratic Caucus for “battling hard to push back against the cruelty” of the legislation. He named several members, including Richard Neal, Frank Pallone, Brendan Boyle, and Angie Craig, explained The Daily Caller.
“[I’m] thankful for the House Democratic leadership. Thankful for the leaders of every single committee that has been battling hard to push back against the cruelty that is in this one, big ugly bill,” Jeffries said, as congressmen appeared to fall asleep behind him. “Thankful for the leadership of [Democrat Massachusetts Rep. Richard] Neal, thankful for the leadership of [Democrat New Jersey Rep.] Frank Pallone. Thankful for the leadership of [Democrat Pennsylvania Rep.] Brendan Boyle, thankful for the leadership of [Democrat Minnesota Rep.] Angie Craig. I’m thankful for the leadership, the principal leadership of every single member of the House Democratic Caucus.”
“I rise today in strong opposition to Donald Trump’s one, big ugly bill,” Jeffries said at the beginning of his speech. “This disgusting, abomination, the GOP tax scam, that guts Medicaid, rips food from the mouths of children, seniors and veterans, and rewards billionaires with massive tax breaks. Every single Democrat stands in strong opposition to this bill because we’re standing up for the American people.”
After hours of delay, the House advanced the bill in a 219-213. Only one Republican, Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick of Pennsylvania, voted “no.”
But as the clock ticked toward sunrise, signs of physical strain were apparent. Several Democrats appeared to nod off in their seats, with cameras catching slumped postures and bleary-eyed gazes. The fatigue underscored the limits of procedural resistance in the face of determined Republican majorities.
The Senate had passed the measure the day prior, with Vice President JD Vance casting the tie-breaking vote in a 51–50 outcome.
Although some GOP lawmakers had expressed concerns over the bill’s fiscal implications—including Kentucky Rep. Thomas Massie, who ultimately supported the procedural motion—Jeffries’ extended protest may have backfired. Vice President Vance shared a message from an unnamed Republican colleague, who remarked, “I was undecided on the bill but then I watched Hakeem Jeffries’ performance and now I’m a firm yes.”
GOP Congressman just texted me:
“I was undecided on the bill but then I watched Hakeem Jeffries performance and now I’m a firm yes.”
— JD Vance (@JDVance) July 3, 2025
Jeffries’ use of the “magic minute” was meant to galvanize opposition. But with bleary-eyed colleagues struggling to stay upright, and the bill marching forward regardless, the spectacle served more as a symbol of Democratic impotence, much like Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer’s gambit to rename the bill “ugly” a day earlier.
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