Dispute over Trump’s tax law: Democrat ends marathon speech in the US Congress

The leading democratic MP Hakeem Jeffries ended his speech in the US Congress after more than eight hours. According to matching US media reports, he set a new record for the longest speech in the chamber’s plenary hall. He was delayed the vote on the tax and expenditure law that is now promoted by President Donald Trump.

The Democrat minority leader began to speak in the plenary hall of the House of Representatives in the early morning (local time) – and ended in the early afternoon. Jeffries made no secret of his intentions: he would take all the time, “in the interest of the American people”.

The minority leader traditionally enjoys the right to speak as long as he wants. Although this is not expressly anchored in the rules of parliament, this is considered a common practice. There is informally talking about a “Magic Minute”, ie a “magical minute” that can be extended as desired. In the past, it was used again and again strategically to set an example with important votes and symbolically delay the decision. In this way, voting cannot be completely prevented.

It is the second time in Trump’s second term that a democrat in the congress with a marathon speech provides attention. A few months ago, the Senator Cory Booker had set a record in the Senate with a more than 25-hour speech against the Republican’s policy.

The law, which is known under the name “One Big Beautiful Bill” (“A large, beautiful law”), has already passed the Senate. Trump wants the package to land on his desk until this Friday – July 4, the American Independence Day. The law is intended to permanently extend tax relief from Trump’s first term. This is to be financed, among other things, by cuts in social benefits, which is due to the Democrats of violent criticism.