“All we need, Mr. Speaker, are four Republicans from this group to join us, and we can stop these devastating cuts to Medicaid,” said House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries.
Jeffries began speaking on the House floor at 4:52 a.m. in a pushback against Republican efforts to pass their megabill, and has not stopped talking since.
He’s using his so-called “magic minute” — an unlimited speaking privilege for party leaders — to read letters from Americans in every state. These letters come from people whose lives depend on programs like Medicaid — programs facing deep cuts under the GOP proposal.
One letter from California came from a parent caring for a son with Down syndrome and autism, who relies on in-home care funded by Medicaid.
Democrats can’t block the bill, but Jeffries’ marathon speech aims to stall final passage and spotlight Republicans who could face voter pushback.
