Pelosi delivers longest House speech ever in an attempt to save DACA
House Minority Leader has something she'd like to say: more than eight hours worth of things, to be specific.
Pelosi took to the House floor beginning at 10:04 am on Wednesday to advocate on behalf of young undocumented immigrants known as Dreamers. Republicans in the House are hoping to pass a spending bill before Friday. Pelosi is refusing to sign any bill that doesn't include a path to citizenship for this population.
Her #DACAbuster, clocking in at an epic 8 hours and 7 minutes, broke the record for the longest speech ever delivered in House history, not exactly a chamber known for its brevity. Unlike the Senate, filibustering is not allowed in the House. (Pelosi got around that as her speech wasn't obstructing the passage of specific legislation.)
"It appears that Leader Pelosi today set the record for the longest continuous speech in the House, going back to 1909 when Champ Clark of Missouri held the record for 5 hours and 15 minutes to speak against the tax overhaul that year," the House historian's office said.
House Speaker Ryan is so far unwilling to offer open debate on any immigration legislation.
Throughout her extended speech, Pelosi offered trenchant, poignant anecdotes about young dreamers, as well as some random tangents, because how can anyone go for 7 hours without occasionally drifting into incoherence?
Observers noted that Pelosi spoke without taking a bathroom break or taking anything more than a sip of water. And she did it in four-inch heels.
As someone who can barely stand on a stationary train in orthopedic sneakers for more than 5 minutes, considered me impressed.
The internet largely agreed:
Pelosi finally ceded the floor after 8 hours and 7 minutes. It's unclear whether she'll be able to whip her caucus into agreement, but either way we'll be watching, much more comfortably, from the comfort of our homes. (You can watch her entire speech here.)
Topics Politics
Heather was the Web Trends reporter at Mashable NYC. Prior to joining Mashable, Heather wrote regularly for UPROXX and GOOD Magazine, was published in The Daily Dot and VICE, and had her work featured in Entertainment Weekly, Jezebel, Mic, and Gawker. She loves small terrible dogs and responsible driving. Follow her on Twitter @wear_a_helmet.
