Three lawmakers succumb to fatigue during 17-hour marathon tax bill hearing, while Republicans advance legislation to extend Trump-era tax cuts and impose new remittance taxes on illegal immigrants.

At a Glance

• The House Ways and Means Committee conducted a grueling 17-hour hearing to advance legislation extending the Trump Tax Cuts and Jobs Act
• Representatives Debbie Dingell (D-MI), Jan Schakowsky (D-IL), and Blake Moore (R-UT) were all caught dozing off during the marathon session
• The bill includes a 5% tax on remittances from illegal aliens while exempting verified U.S. citizens and nationals
• Republicans successfully moved the bill through its initial committee stage despite Democrat opposition
• The legislation addresses border security and targets the estimated $103 billion in remittances sent to foreign countries in 2020

Lawmakers Fall Asleep During Extended Tax Reform Hearing

The House Ways and Means Committee pushed through a major tax reform package in a marathon 17-hour hearing that tested the endurance of lawmakers from both parties. The lengthy session, which stretched through the night, proved too demanding for some representatives. Video evidence captured three lawmakers nodding off during discussions of the bill, which aims to extend Trump-era tax cuts, enhance border security, and reduce government spending. The incident highlights the physical demands placed on legislators during critical policy debates.

Representatives Debbie Dingell (D-MI) and Jan Schakowsky (D-IL) were both filmed succumbing to exhaustion during the proceedings, temporarily unable to participate in the discussion. The fatigue crossed party lines, as Republican Representative Blake Moore of Utah was also caught dozing and needed to be awakened by a colleague during the session. Despite these momentary lapses, the committee continued its work on what Republicans have described as a “big, beautiful” bill, echoing terminology previously used by former President Donald Trump.

Tax Reform Package Targeting Illegal Immigration

A key component of the bill focuses on economic measures related to illegal immigration, particularly the flow of money from the United States to foreign countries. The legislation proposes a five percent tax on remittances sent by illegal aliens, while specifically exempting verified U.S. citizens or nationals from this fee. To balance this approach, the bill includes provisions for a refundable tax credit that would be available for excise taxes paid by taxpayers who possess valid Social Security numbers, ensuring legal residents aren’t penalized.

“The ‘big, beautiful’ tax bill represents a significant attempt to extend the economic policies established during the Trump administration while addressing concerns about illegal immigration and its economic impact,” as described by Republicans supporting the measure during committee discussions.

The five percent tax rate represents a compromise position when compared to previous proposals. Senator JD Vance and Representative Kevin Hern had previously suggested a ten percent tax on remittances, while the Heritage Foundation had proposed an even more substantial fifty percent tax. These varying proposals reflect the ongoing debate about how to address the billions of dollars leaving the American economy through remittances annually.

Economic Impact of Remittances

The financial scale of remittances from the United States to foreign countries highlights why lawmakers have targeted this area for policy action. In 2020 alone, an estimated $103 billion in remittances were sent from the United States to just six foreign countries, with China receiving $19 billion of that total. These transfers represent significant economic outflows that some legislators believe should be regulated or taxed, particularly when originating from individuals residing in the country illegally.

The importance of these financial flows to recipient countries cannot be understated. For example, remittances to Nicaragua in January 2025 amounted to $373.5 million, representing a staggering 27% of that nation’s GDP in 2024. This dependency on remittances by foreign economies adds another dimension to the policy debate, as any changes to remittance policies could have substantial international economic implications while potentially providing leverage in immigration discussions with countries receiving these funds.

Despite the physical toll of the 17-hour session, Republicans successfully advanced the bill through its initial committee stage. The legislation now moves forward in the House as part of the broader legislative agenda focused on extending key elements of Trump-era tax policies while addressing border security concerns through economic mechanisms. The debate over these provisions is likely to continue as the bill progresses through the legislative process.