House minority leader Hakeem Jeffries (D., N.Y.) on Thursday delivered the longest continuous speech in the House of Representatives’ history in a last-ditch attempt to stall passage of President Donald Trump’s “One Big Beautiful Bill.” The bill passed anyway and is on its way to the Oval Office for Trump’s signature.
Jeffries spoke for 8 hours and 45 minutes, starting at 4:52 a.m. and reading letters from constituents. “I’m here today to make it clear that I’m going to take my time and ensure that the American people fully understand how damaging this bill will be to their quality of life,” Jeffries said, adding, “Donald Trump’s deadline may be Independence Day. That ain’t my deadline.”
Jeffries nevertheless ended his speech at 1:37 p.m., and the Republican-led House passed the megabill in a 218–214 vote, with all Democrats opposed and all but two Republicans—Reps. Brian Fitzpatrick (Pa.) and Thomas Massie (Ky.)—voting in favor. The legislation initially cleared the House in May but returned for a second vote after the Senate approved it with amendments. Trump, who has championed the measure as a centerpiece of his 2025 agenda, is expected to sign it into law in the coming days.
House Speaker Mike Johnson (R., La.) called Jeffries’s marathon speech “an utter waste of everyone’s time.”
The bill extends tax cuts from Trump’s first term, expands child tax credits, eliminates several Biden-era climate regulations, and consolidates oversight of federal agencies. GOP leaders say the reforms will boost small business growth, lower energy costs, and return power to working Americans.
“This is arguably the most significant piece of Legislation that will ever be signed in the History of our Country!” Trump said after the House passed the bill the first time. “The Bill includes MASSIVE Tax CUTS, No Tax on Tips, No Tax on Overtime, Tax Deductions when you purchase an American Made Vehicle, along with strong Border Security measures, Pay Raises for our ICE and Border Patrol Agents, Funding for the Golden Dome, ‘TRUMP Savings Accounts’ for newborn babies, and much more!”
