Democrats Tapped Out Sleepy Rep During House Standoff
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries found himself in a bit of a predicament when one of his own members, Rep. Marcy Kaptur, kept dozing off during a crucial House session. The incident occurred during a standoff over the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, with Kaptur struggling to stay awake in full view of the C-SPAN cameras.
Jeffries took to the House floor in the early hours of the morning to delay the passage of the GOP megabill, prompting Democrats to strategically place members around him for maximum visibility. However, Kaptur’s drowsiness became too apparent, leading a fellow Democrat to tap her out and bring in Rep. Sarah McBride to take her place.
As the House worked through the night, Republicans faced challenges in securing enough votes to pass the legislation. Some lawmakers resorted to sneaking off for quick naps, while others powered through the marathon session. Ultimately, after a procedural deadlock, Republicans managed to break through and advance the bill.
Jeffries utilized his “magic minute” to address the chamber, reading letters from constituents expressing concerns about Medicaid and SNAP reforms in the bill. Meanwhile, Republicans faced internal pressures and mounting criticism as they pushed to finalize Trump’s legislative agenda package.
Despite facing obstacles and mounting pressure, GOP leaders aimed to have the One Big Beautiful Bill Act signed into law by the Fourth of July. Through long hours and leveraging the upcoming holiday, they worked to rally support and overcome reservations within their caucus.
