House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., said Thursday morning "the time is now" for Republicans to coalesce around President Donald Trump's "one, big, beautiful bill," after House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., attempted to stall the vote with a last-ditch "magic minutes" speech.
After several rounds of voting and bargaining Wednesday night, Republicans were assured that they had enough votes to pass the president's signature legislation that prioritizes tax cuts and border security.
"The time is now! President Trump is waiting with his pen. Today, we will deliver the One Big Beautiful Bill to the President's desk - and the American people will FINALLY get the relief they demand and deserve," Johnson posted on X in a sign of solidarity with the president's goal of getting him a bill by Friday.
Jeffries on Thursday pushed his allotted 60 seconds to over four hours in hopes of making one last impassioned plea against the bill, calling it "an extraordinary assault on the healthcare of the American people."
"Republicans are trying to jam this one, big, ugly bill down the throats of the American people," Jeffries said. He added, "Leadership requires courage, conviction, compassion — and yet what we have seen from this administration and co-conspirators on the Republican side of the aisle is cruelty, chaos, and corruption."
The chambers remained mostly empty for much of Jeffries speech.
James Morley III ✉
James Morley III is a writer with more than two decades of experience in entertainment, travel, technology, and science and nature.
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