House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries is blasting Republican colleagues over Medicaid as he issues extended remarks ahead of the final GOP megabill vote.
Jeffries is utilizing his so-called “magic minute” to read off letters sent in by individuals in each state who rely on benefits that potentially hang in the balance as a result of the megabill’s provisions.
After reading a story from Arizona and criticizing Rep. Juan Ciscomani (R-Ariz), Jeffries told the chamber: “I’m still in the A section right now, so strap in.”
He read another story from a constituent in GOP Rep. David Valadao’s district in California, which Jeffries said has the highest concentration of Medicaid recipients in the country. The writer’s son has Down syndrome and autism and lives at home with aging parents. He requires in-home care, which is provided through a Medicaid service that could be threatened.
Jeffries said his goal in reading out these stories is to “lift up the voices of every day Americans all across the country.”
“This one big ugly Republican bill has put a target on their back,” Jeffries said. “This is a question for so many individuals of life and death … It is so extraordinary that in the middle of the night, Americans face a bill that will target their healthcare.”
The minority leader is also hinting at the vulnerability of certain Republicans who are voting to advance the bill in potentially toss up districts. Jeffries said one letter came from someone in a district “currently represented by Congressman Gabe Evans — currently represented.”
Speaker Mike Johnson predicted Jeffries would speak for an hour, but it’s unclear how long the speech will go on.
“I’m going to take my time,” Jeffries declared to applause from Democrats on the floor.