Hakeem Jeffries Filibustering Final Budget Bill Vote

I’ll have a full report out later this morning, but here’s exactly where things stand with the budget bill right now—and it’s moving fast.

When the House adjourned last night, Republicans didn’t have the votes to move the bill forward. But overnight, the pressure campaign worked—many folded. The rule for the bill passed early this morning by a narrow 219-213 vote, with just one Republican breaking ranks.

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There was supposed to be a final vote at 8:00 a.m.—that still hasn’t happened.

Why? Because House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries is holding the floor, and he’s been speaking for nearly five hours straight. He is deliberately slowing down the process, giving Americans critical time to mobilize and call their representatives.

Here are some of the most striking moments from Jeffries’ speech:

“I feel the obligation, Mr. Speaker, to stand on this House floor and take my sweet time.”
— Jeffries makes clear this is a strategic delay, not just symbolic.

“This reckless Republican budget is an immoral document... We are standing up and pushing back with everything we have, on behalf of the American people.”
— A full-throated rebuke of the bill's priorities.

“As a result of the all-out Republican assault on healthcare in the U.S., people will die... I never thought I’d be on the House floor saying this is a crime scene.”
— Powerful language warning of the human cost of proposed healthcare cuts.

To Elise Stefanik: “Welcome back to Congress. I'm sorry it did not work out for you.”
— A sharp jab referencing her failed bid to become Trump’s UN Ambassador.

It’s still unclear if this delay will flip any votes—but the clock is ticking, and every extra minute is a chance for constituents to make their voices heard.

If Jeffries keeps speaking until 1:26 p.m., he will break the record for the longest House floor speech—currently held by Kevin McCarthy at eight hours and 32 minutes.

Stay tuned. I’ll have a complete breakdown of the vote and what it all means later today.