House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) continued to talk — and talk and talk — on Thursday night into the early morning of Friday to delay a vote on the Build Back Better Act.
The Republican leader started speaking at 8:38 p.m. EST on Thursday and stopped at 5:10 a.m. EST on Friday — totaling 8 hours and 32 minutes.
McCarthy’s filibuster broke records, as it was the longest House floor speech in history. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) spoke for 8 hours and 7 minutes when she was the minority leader in 2018.
Minority Leader McCarthy concluded his remarks on H.R. 5376 – Build Back Better Act at approximately 5:10 AM. He began at a little before 8:38 PM on Thursday.
— House Press Gallery (@HouseDailyPress) November 19, 2021
Democrats have left the Capitol for the night. If they think I'm going to stop, I'm not.
— Kevin McCarthy (@SpeakerMcCarthy) November 19, 2021
It's too important for the American people to know what's in this Socialist Spending Scam.
Low energy in the chamber right now. Members on both sides look very tired. McCarthy has been speaking for 2 hours and 15 minutes
— Manu Raju (@mkraju) November 19, 2021
McCarthy said during his speech, “I know some of you are mad at me, think I spoke too long. But I’ve had enough. America has had enough.”
.@GOPLeader: If Republicans win in 2022, "we will tackle inflation, we'll make America energy independent again, and we will make sure parents have a say in their kids' education, and we will secure the border." pic.twitter.com/exaxDrJlf6
— RNC Research (@RNCResearch) November 19, 2021
.@GOPLeader is still going! pic.twitter.com/Gvt5nLydH7
— Erin Perrine (@ErinMPerrine) November 19, 2021
.@GOPLeader: "No matter the time, the day, or the circumstances, House Republicans will always fight for you, fight for your family, and fight for our country." pic.twitter.com/vcRbEeMjFp
— RNC Research (@RNCResearch) November 19, 2021
“No matter the time, the day, or the circumstances, House Republicans will always fight for you, fight for your family, and fight for our country,” McCarthy concluded. “With that, Madam Speaker, I yield back.”
Below is the full video:
The House of Representatives is expected to reconvene on Friday at 8 a.m. EST and vote on Democrats’ $1.85 trillion social spending bill.