House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries took to the House floor for what has now become a marathon speech, invoking a rarely used House procedure known as the “magic minute” to protest President Donald Trump’s massive tax and spending package. The move comes as Republicans race to pass the so-called “One Big Beautiful Bill” before a self-imposed 4 July deadline.
Jeffries began speaking at 4.53am ET and has now delivered one of the longest speeches in recent House history — clocking over five hours and counting. His speech, delivered to a mostly empty chamber but cheered on by Democratic colleagues, is not a filibuster in the technical sense but utilises the House tradition that allows leaders unlimited speaking time at the close of debate.
“I feel the obligation, Mr. Speaker, to stand on this House floor and take my sweet time to tell the stories of the American people, and that’s exactly what I intend to do,” Jeffries said.
What is the 'magic minute'?
The “magic minute” is an informal House rule that grants party leaders — such as the Speaker, Majority Leader, or Minority Leader — the right to speak for as long as they wish once debate has concluded. While most representatives are limited to short time allotments, the magic minute allows leaders to effectively stall proceedings without the Senate’s formal filibuster tool.
Jeffries has made clear he intends to use every minute of this procedural leverage. As of Thursday morning, his speech had already surpassed five hours, placing it as the third-longest “magic minute” in House history. The current record stands at 8 hours and 32 minutes, held by former Republican Speaker Kevin McCarthy, who spoke in opposition to Joe Biden’s Build Back Better Act in 2021.
This extended address is seen as the final major effort by Democrats to stall the controversial Republican bill — a sweeping legislative package that enshrines Trump’s domestic agenda for his second term, including \$4.5 trillion in extended tax breaks and significant cuts to Medicaid, SNAP, and other social welfare programmes.
“This reckless Republican budget is an immoral document,” Jeffries declared. “Everybody should vote no against it because of how it attacks children, seniors, and everyday Americans.”
Jeffries’ fierce critique of the Bill
Throughout his speech, Jeffries has zeroed in on what he calls an “extraordinary assault” on American health care, repeatedly warning that the proposed cuts would severely damage Medicaid, Medicare, the Affordable Care Act, and children’s health services.
“This bill represents the largest cut to health care in American history,” Jeffries said. “Hospitals will close, including all throughout rural America… People in America will die unnecessary deaths. That is outrageous. It's disgusting.”
Citing the Congressional Budget Office, Jeffries warned that up to 11.8 million Americans could lose health insurance under the Senate-approved provisions of the bill, which would impose stricter work requirements and roll back health and food assistance.
The House Minority Leader also accused Republicans of cruelty and neglect, adding:
“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.”
The bill, officially titled the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” by Republicans, would also fund mass deportation efforts and reverse green energy investments. Jeffries ridiculed the branding:
“Republicans are trying to jam this one, big, ugly bill down the throats of the American people.”
What happens next
Despite the delay, Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson claimed he had secured the necessary votes to pass the bill. The package, after narrowly passing a series of procedural hurdles, was expected to go to a final vote shortly after Jeffries’ remarks conclude.
“We feel very good about where we are and we're moving forward,” Johnson said. “We’re going to deliver the Big, Beautiful Bill — the president’s ‘America First’ agenda.”
The bill is expected to be signed by President Trump shortly after passage, marking a defining victory for his second term. But Democrats, united in their opposition, have promised to campaign hard against it ahead of the 2026 midterms, framing it as a historic transfer of wealth from the poor to the rich.
> “This bill — this one big, ugly bill — this reckless Republican budget, this disgusting abomination — is not about improving the quality of life of the American people,” Jeffries said, closing in on the sixth hour of his address.
Jeffries began speaking at 4.53am ET and has now delivered one of the longest speeches in recent House history — clocking over five hours and counting. His speech, delivered to a mostly empty chamber but cheered on by Democratic colleagues, is not a filibuster in the technical sense but utilises the House tradition that allows leaders unlimited speaking time at the close of debate.
“I feel the obligation, Mr. Speaker, to stand on this House floor and take my sweet time to tell the stories of the American people, and that’s exactly what I intend to do,” Jeffries said.
What is the 'magic minute'?
The “magic minute” is an informal House rule that grants party leaders — such as the Speaker, Majority Leader, or Minority Leader — the right to speak for as long as they wish once debate has concluded. While most representatives are limited to short time allotments, the magic minute allows leaders to effectively stall proceedings without the Senate’s formal filibuster tool.
Jeffries has made clear he intends to use every minute of this procedural leverage. As of Thursday morning, his speech had already surpassed five hours, placing it as the third-longest “magic minute” in House history. The current record stands at 8 hours and 32 minutes, held by former Republican Speaker Kevin McCarthy, who spoke in opposition to Joe Biden’s Build Back Better Act in 2021.
This extended address is seen as the final major effort by Democrats to stall the controversial Republican bill — a sweeping legislative package that enshrines Trump’s domestic agenda for his second term, including \$4.5 trillion in extended tax breaks and significant cuts to Medicaid, SNAP, and other social welfare programmes.
“This reckless Republican budget is an immoral document,” Jeffries declared. “Everybody should vote no against it because of how it attacks children, seniors, and everyday Americans.”
Jeffries’ fierce critique of the Bill
Throughout his speech, Jeffries has zeroed in on what he calls an “extraordinary assault” on American health care, repeatedly warning that the proposed cuts would severely damage Medicaid, Medicare, the Affordable Care Act, and children’s health services.
“This bill represents the largest cut to health care in American history,” Jeffries said. “Hospitals will close, including all throughout rural America… People in America will die unnecessary deaths. That is outrageous. It's disgusting.”
Citing the Congressional Budget Office, Jeffries warned that up to 11.8 million Americans could lose health insurance under the Senate-approved provisions of the bill, which would impose stricter work requirements and roll back health and food assistance.
The House Minority Leader also accused Republicans of cruelty and neglect, adding:
“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.”
The bill, officially titled the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” by Republicans, would also fund mass deportation efforts and reverse green energy investments. Jeffries ridiculed the branding:
“Republicans are trying to jam this one, big, ugly bill down the throats of the American people.”
What happens next
Despite the delay, Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson claimed he had secured the necessary votes to pass the bill. The package, after narrowly passing a series of procedural hurdles, was expected to go to a final vote shortly after Jeffries’ remarks conclude.
“We feel very good about where we are and we're moving forward,” Johnson said. “We’re going to deliver the Big, Beautiful Bill — the president’s ‘America First’ agenda.”
The bill is expected to be signed by President Trump shortly after passage, marking a defining victory for his second term. But Democrats, united in their opposition, have promised to campaign hard against it ahead of the 2026 midterms, framing it as a historic transfer of wealth from the poor to the rich.
> “This bill — this one big, ugly bill — this reckless Republican budget, this disgusting abomination — is not about improving the quality of life of the American people,” Jeffries said, closing in on the sixth hour of his address.
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