Washington-In a dramatic late-night session on Capitol Hill, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries made a final push to oppose a sweeping policy bill backed by former President Donald Trump, using his procedural right to deliver an extended floor speech just hours before the decisive vote.
The bill, informally dubbed the “America First Fiscal Plan,” proposes deep cuts to federal welfare programs while expanding tax incentives for corporations and defense spending. It has become a cornerstone of Trump’s legislative agenda in his second term, and the House is expected to vote on the measure today.
Speaking for nearly five hours, Jeffries accused Republican lawmakers of turning their backs on working-class Americans and prioritizing political loyalty over public interest.
“This bill is not just a policy failure — it’s a moral failure,” Jeffries said from the House floor. “Slashing health care and housing support while rewarding the ultra-rich with more tax breaks is not what this country needs.”
Jeffries’ speech, delivered under the House’s “magic minute” rule — which allows party leaders to speak as long as they wish — was packed with personal stories from constituents and references to civil rights, economic inequality, and rising living costs across the nation. The Minority Leader also warned that the legislation would have long-term consequences for low-income families, veterans, and senior citizens.
Meanwhile, Republican leaders worked behind the scenes to shore up support, facing pressure from Trump allies to pass the bill ahead of the July 4 deadline. Former President Trump reportedly made direct calls to undecided lawmakers, urging them to “seal the deal” and deliver a legislative victory before the Independence Day recess.
The proposed legislation has sparked sharp partisan divisions in both chambers. While GOP leadership argues the bill will stabilize the federal budget and strengthen national security, Democrats have labeled it a “cruel and calculated rollback” of basic protections.
As of Friday morning, the vote margin remains tight. Just a handful of GOP defections could derail the bill, making today’s floor vote one of the most closely watched in recent memory.
If passed in the House, the bill will proceed to the Senate next week, where further debate and possible amendments await.
