Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries took the House floor early Thursday and launched into the longest “magic minute” speech in congressional history. His goal was to slow down the vote on President Trump’s sweeping tax and immigration legislation known as the One Big Beautiful Bill.

Jeffries began speaking just before 4 a.m. and finished at 12:44 p.m. surpassing Kevin McCarthy’s previous record of eight hours and 32 minutes set in 2021. His 8-hour and 44-minute speech became a dramatic move against the Republican bill which many Democrats say would harm working families.

Jeffries Uses Record Speech To Slam Trump’s Spending Bill

During his speech Jeffries read stories from real Americans who fear losing Medicaid under the bill. He slammed Republicans for cutting food and health benefits while giving what he called massive tax breaks to the rich. Jeffries took shots at Elon Musk by pointing out the disparity between food aid and federal contracts going to billionaires.

“I feel the obligation Mr. Speaker to stand on this House floor and take my sweet time.” - Jeffries

Republicans have been pushing to pass the bill before July 4 as requested by President Trump. But Jeffries made it clear he would not make it easy and questioned the morality of the spending plan.

The bill includes deep cuts to SNAP Medicaid and the Affordable Care Act. Jeffries warned it could harm veterans children and the elderly while exploding the national debt