Several lawmakers were caught nodding off during overnight committee sessions in Washington this week, as Congress scrambled to finalise key elements of President Trump’s sweeping new legislative agenda. Reps. Blake Moore of Utah, Debbie Dingell of Michigan and Jan Schakowsky of Illinois were all spotted dozing during marathon hearings that extended into the early hours.
Moore, the Republican vice chair of the House GOP Conference, was filmed slumped in his chair around 5 a.m. during a House Ways and Means Committee meeting to debate the tax portion of Trump’s bill. The footage, captured by C-SPAN, showed Moore fast asleep until a colleague nudged him awake in time to vote “no” on an amendment. The moment triggered laughter among committee members and quickly spread online. Moore later joked that he needed “a quick power nap” but praised the committee’s work, saying they’d delivered a bill that would benefit American workers and families.
Meanwhile, Dingell, a Democrat, was caught with her eyes shut during deliberations on a proposal to cut $900 billion in federal spending, including major reductions to Medicaid. Critics mocked her apparent fatigue, but she later explained she’d been awake for 31 hours straight, fighting against Republican efforts to slash healthcare. “Closed my eyes to think about an America where everyone has access to quality, affordable health care,” she said on social media.
Schakowsky, who recently announced her retirement after 2026, was also seen nodding off during the same session. The Energy and Commerce Committee, where both she and Dingell sit, had reportedly been in session for more than 24 hours.
These scenes unfolded as lawmakers wrestled with some of the most contentious elements of Trump’s legislative package, including extending the 2017 tax cuts, eliminating taxes on tips and overtime, and implementing deep social spending cuts. Divisions within the GOP, especially over the state and local tax (SALT) deduction, have made the process even more gruelling.
Utah Rep. Blake Moore has to be woken up after falling asleep in his chair during a committee meeting.
— Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) May 14, 2025
Michigan Rep. Debbie Dingell and Illinois Rep. Jan Schakowsky were also caught on film falling asleep this morning. pic.twitter.com/ayHFMDcXLH
Moore, the Republican vice chair of the House GOP Conference, was filmed slumped in his chair around 5 a.m. during a House Ways and Means Committee meeting to debate the tax portion of Trump’s bill. The footage, captured by C-SPAN, showed Moore fast asleep until a colleague nudged him awake in time to vote “no” on an amendment. The moment triggered laughter among committee members and quickly spread online. Moore later joked that he needed “a quick power nap” but praised the committee’s work, saying they’d delivered a bill that would benefit American workers and families.
Meanwhile, Dingell, a Democrat, was caught with her eyes shut during deliberations on a proposal to cut $900 billion in federal spending, including major reductions to Medicaid. Critics mocked her apparent fatigue, but she later explained she’d been awake for 31 hours straight, fighting against Republican efforts to slash healthcare. “Closed my eyes to think about an America where everyone has access to quality, affordable health care,” she said on social media.
Schakowsky, who recently announced her retirement after 2026, was also seen nodding off during the same session. The Energy and Commerce Committee, where both she and Dingell sit, had reportedly been in session for more than 24 hours.
These scenes unfolded as lawmakers wrestled with some of the most contentious elements of Trump’s legislative package, including extending the 2017 tax cuts, eliminating taxes on tips and overtime, and implementing deep social spending cuts. Divisions within the GOP, especially over the state and local tax (SALT) deduction, have made the process even more gruelling.
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