Democrat Jeffries Sets Record In Speech Delaying House Vote on Trump Bill
House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries speaking outside the US Capitol on July 2.
Photographer: Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images
Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries broke the record for the House’s longest “magic minute” floor speech Thursday, using his unlimited speaking privileges to drag House Republicans’ megabill vote hours past the intended schedule.
New Yorker Jeffries’ speech passed the previous record held by then-Republican Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) of eight hours and 32 minutes. Not only did Jeffries’ rambling remarks delay President Donald Trump’s tax bill vote — they also brought his criticisms of the GOP agenda onto the most popular morning news shows.