House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries spoke for 8 hours and 44 minutes on July 3, 2025. His marathon speech in the U.S. House of Representatives aimed to delay a vote on President Donald Trump’s “One Big Beautiful Bill.”
Jeffries broke the record for the longest House floor speech, surpassing Kevin McCarthy’s 8-hour, 32-minute speech in 2021. The speech began at 4:53 a.m. EDT and ended at 1:37 p.m. EDT. It was a final stand against the Republican-backed bill. Despite his efforts, the bill passed with a 218-214 vote.
Hakeem Jeffries, 54, is a Democratic congressman from New York’s 8th District, covering parts of Brooklyn and Queens. Elected in 2012, he became House Minority Leader in 2023, the first Black lawmaker to lead a major party in Congress.
Born in Brooklyn on August 4, 1970, Jeffries is known for his sharp oratory and strategic leadership. He used the House’s “magic minute” rule, which allows party leaders to speak without time limits, to deliver his historic speech. Jeffries aimed to spotlight the bill’s impact on vulnerable Americans
Why Did He Speak for So Long?
Jeffries’ speech was a protest against Trump’s $4.5 trillion tax and spending bill. He criticized its deep cuts to Medicaid, SNAP, and clean-energy programs, calling it a “crime scene” for working-class Americans.
Using stacks of binders, he detailed the bill’s effects, shared stories from his constituents, and quoted Scripture. Jeffries also called out GOP leaders for limiting debate to one hour, split between two committees. His goal was to delay the vote, draw public attention, and rally Democrats for the 2026 midterms. He urged four Republicans to vote against the bill, but only two did.
Did It Change Anything?
Jeffries’ speech did not stop the bill’s passage. The House approved it 218-214, with only two Republicans joining Democrats in opposition. The bill, which includes tax cuts, border security funding, and cuts to social programs, now heads to Trump’s desk for signing on July 4, 2025.
However, Jeffries’ speech drew significant attention, earning a standing ovation from Democrats. It framed the bill as harmful to vulnerable communities, setting the stage for Democratic campaigns in 2026. The speech also broke the House record, cementing Jeffries’ place in congressional history. While it delayed the vote, it couldn’t block the Republican-controlled House and Senate.
The bill’s passage marks a major win for Trump and House Speaker Mike Johnson. It includes the largest middle-class tax cut in history, permanent border security measures, and military funding, according to the White House.
Critics, including Jeffries, argue it prioritizes wealthy tax breaks over social programs. The Congressional Budget Office estimates the bill’s Medicaid cuts could leave 11.8 million Americans without health insurance over the next decade.
Jeffries’ speech highlighted these stakes, but the GOP’s use of an obscure budget procedure bypassed the Senate filibuster, ensuring passage. His marathon effort was more about public messaging than altering the vote’s outcome.
Jeffries’ historic speech was a bold move to challenge Trump’s agenda. It didn’t stop the bill but amplified Democratic opposition.
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