Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer told fellow Democrats they will force the out-loud reading of the GOP’s “big, beautiful bill” if the Senate votes to start debate Saturday.
The maneuver, which was described by a person granted anonymity to describe private plans, is meant to slow down Senate passage of the megabill and give Democrats more time to raise awareness of provisions inside of it. The reading of the bill by clerks is provided for under Senate rules but is almost always waived by unanimous consent.
Senate aides estimate reading the 940-page bill could take about 15 hours. When Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.) forced the reading of Democrats’ 628-page American Rescue Act in 2021, it took 10 hours and 44 minutes. (Johnson said he bought the clerks a case of wine afterward.)
“Schumer believes Americans deserve to hear exactly what’s in this monstrosity: permanent tax breaks for billionaires, millions of Americans losing health care and food assistance, giveaways to fossil fuel companies and land sales to the highest bidder — all paid for by working families,” the person said.
