A recent overnight House committee hearing went viral after videos showed several U.S. lawmakers struggling to stay awake during the long session. Representatives Blake Moore, Debbie Dingell, and Jan Schakowsky were seen dozing off as the meeting stretched deep into the early morning hours. These clips have sparked widespread reactions online.
In the early hours of the morning, around 5 am, during a House Ways and Means Committee markup session, Rep. Blake Moore was caught nodding off just before an important vote. The session, lasting more than 18 hours, was focused on the tax portion of former President Donald Trump’s proposed bill.
Moore, who is the vice chair of the House Republican Conference, missed several calls to vote on an amendment by Rep. Judy Chu related to the Affordable Care Act. According to USA Today, it was Rep. Michelle Fischbach who finally nudged him awake.
Moore responded to the moment with good humour and took it in stride. “I may have needed a quick power nap, but Ways and Means Republicans powered through an 18-hour markup to deliver a tax bill that better serves American families, workers, and businesses,” he said, in a statement to USA Today. He added, “Thanks to Rep. Fischbach for keeping me on track!”
Rep. Debbie Dingell was also seen with her eyes closed during the Energy and Commerce Committee ’s session, which was focused on reviewing a long-term plan to cut billions in federal spending. The Michigan lawmaker, well known for her work on healthcare, later responded to the viral video.
Posting on X (formerly Twitter), Dingell explained the circumstances behind the moment. “Been up for 31 hours straight fighting Republicans trying to gut Medicaid. Closed my eyes to think about an America where everyone has access to quality, affordable health care,” she wrote.
Rep. Jan Schakowsky was the third lawmaker spotted on camera seemingly dozing off during the Energy and Commerce Committee markup. According to the New York Post, the session lasted over 24 hours, leaving many committee members visibly exhausted.
While the videos have sparked laughs across social media, they also shed light on the physical toll of long legislative sessions . Lawmakers often have to stay alert through hours of intense policy debates with little rest, making exhaustion quite common.
In the early hours of the morning, around 5 am, during a House Ways and Means Committee markup session, Rep. Blake Moore was caught nodding off just before an important vote. The session, lasting more than 18 hours, was focused on the tax portion of former President Donald Trump’s proposed bill.
Moore, who is the vice chair of the House Republican Conference, missed several calls to vote on an amendment by Rep. Judy Chu related to the Affordable Care Act. According to USA Today, it was Rep. Michelle Fischbach who finally nudged him awake.
It's 4:57am ET ... there's another vote during the House Ways and Means markup ... and they have to wake Rep. Blake Moore pic.twitter.com/Z2XlhiMtve
— Howard Mortman (@HowardMortman) May 14, 2025
Moore responded to the moment with good humour and took it in stride. “I may have needed a quick power nap, but Ways and Means Republicans powered through an 18-hour markup to deliver a tax bill that better serves American families, workers, and businesses,” he said, in a statement to USA Today. He added, “Thanks to Rep. Fischbach for keeping me on track!”
Rep. Debbie Dingell was also seen with her eyes closed during the Energy and Commerce Committee ’s session, which was focused on reviewing a long-term plan to cut billions in federal spending. The Michigan lawmaker, well known for her work on healthcare, later responded to the viral video.
Posting on X (formerly Twitter), Dingell explained the circumstances behind the moment. “Been up for 31 hours straight fighting Republicans trying to gut Medicaid. Closed my eyes to think about an America where everyone has access to quality, affordable health care,” she wrote.
Been up for 31 hours straight fighting Republicans trying to gut Medicaid.
— Rep. Debbie Dingell (@RepDebDingell) May 14, 2025
Closed my eyes to think about an America where everyone has access to quality, affordable health care. https://t.co/gj8gttmX1X
Rep. Jan Schakowsky was the third lawmaker spotted on camera seemingly dozing off during the Energy and Commerce Committee markup. According to the New York Post, the session lasted over 24 hours, leaving many committee members visibly exhausted.
While the videos have sparked laughs across social media, they also shed light on the physical toll of long legislative sessions . Lawmakers often have to stay alert through hours of intense policy debates with little rest, making exhaustion quite common.
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