Hakeem Jeffries breaks House speech record to stall Trump’s budget bill

In the United States, on July 3, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries launched an extensive speech on the House floor aimed at delaying a final vote on President Donald Trump’s budget bill, often referred to as the 'One Big Beautiful Bill.' Beginning at approximately 4:52 a.m. EDT, Jeffries criticized the limited debate allowed by House GOP leaders over the massive 900-page bill, expressing frustration at only having one hour of discussion allocated for such crucial legislation. His emphasis on featuring the stories of Americans who would be negatively impacted by the bill highlighted the potential consequences for healthcare, food aid, and other vital services. Jeffries's marathon speech not only stalled the legislative process but ultimately broke the record for the longest speech in the House, lasting over eight hours and 44 minutes. His remarks drew attention to the perceived negligence of House Republicans, who initiated debate at a time when many members were likely to be asleep, thus sparking further criticism from Democrats. House members, including notable figures like Rep. Maxwell Frost and Rep. Robin Kelly, rallied behind Jeffries's efforts against the bill, reiterating their concerns about its potential harm to vulnerable populations. While Hakeem Jeffries conveyed serious issues regarding the budget, he also faced criticism from his own party, as some Democrats were seen dozing off during his lengthy address. This pointed to challenges within their caucus amid high stakes surrounding the legislative session. Jeffries's speech was characterized as a modern-day equivalent of a filibuster, utilizing the House's procedure that permits party leaders to speak indefinitely. Despite the extensive time spent voicing opposition, the outcome of the vote remained certain, with Republicans poised to pass the budget bill soon after Jeffries relinquished the floor. Post-speech, domestic political debates continued to center around the implications of budgetary decisions, reflecting the ongoing divide between parties and their respective agendas aimed at addressing the welfare of American citizens.