House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries is delivering a pointed critique of Republican lawmakers over their stance on Medicaid as the final GOP megabill vote approaches. During an extended remarks period, Jeffries is reading letters from constituents across the country, emphasizing the potential impact of the legislation on vulnerable populations. The letters, submitted from states such as Arizona and California, highlight the possible consequences of the bill for individuals who rely on Medicaid for essential in-home care services. Jeffries is also pointing out the political risks for certain Republicans in competitive districts, potentially adding pressure to the vote.
Jeffries’s speech, which is part of his so-called ‘magic minute’ allocation, includes a story from Arizona, where he criticized Rep. Juan Ciscomani (R-Ariz) for his position on the bill. He also mentioned a constituent in Rep. David Valadao’s district in California, emphasizing the high concentration of Medicaid recipients there. The writer’s son has Down syndrome and autism and lives at home with aging parents, requiring in-home care that could be compromised by the proposed changes. Jeffries said his goal in reading these stories was to ‘lift up the voices of everyday Americans all across the country.’
Jeffries also warned that the legislation poses life-or-death consequences for many Americans, describing it as ‘one big ugly Republican bill’ that has ‘put a target on their back.’ He suggested that some Republicans may face backlash for their support, particularly in districts where the outcome is uncertain. Speaker Mike Johnson had predicted that Jeffries would speak for an hour, but it remains unclear how long the speech will last.