While speaking out against President Donald Trump’s “Big, Beautiful Bill” tax cut package, an 81-year-old Democratic congresswoman stumbled on the House floor.
Rep. Jan Schakowsky (D-IL) reportedly stumbled during a heated floor debate, where she had been echoing Democratic critiques of what she called Trump’s “big, ugly bill.” The incident occurred after days of marathon negotiations, with lawmakers scrambling to meet the president’s July 4 deadline to deliver the sweeping legislation.
Schakowsky’s remarks came just ahead of a fiery, hours-long filibuster by House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY), who took full advantage of the House’s “magic minute” rule—allowing a member to speak indefinitely, so long as they remain standing and present.
Jeffries reportedly had several hefty binders stacked before him, each packed with excerpts of the speech he has been delivering without pause.
The advanced age of many Washington, D.C. lawmakers has remained under intense scrutiny from both the public and the media—especially following former President Joe Biden’s disastrous 2024 debate performance and his eventual withdrawal from the race.
Episodes like Schakowsky’s fall have only amplified concerns, keeping the uncomfortable issue in the spotlight amid a punishing and high-stakes legislative session.
Earlier this year, Schakowsky announced she would not run for reelection in 2026, bringing an end to a long career in public service. She has represented her Illinois district in the U.S. House of Representatives since first winning federal office in 1998, following a seven-year stint as a state legislator.
She spent part of Wednesday filming an incendiary message for social media. “I’m not just a no on Trump’s Big Ugly Bill, I’m a HELL NO!” she wrote on X.
“This is going to be the most hideous vote that the Republicans are putting forward that would absolutely take healthcare away from literally millions of people. Why? Because they want to be able to provide more money, more wealth to the richest people in the United States of America,” railed Schakowsky.
“When the bill comes up, consider it a crime scene!” she said with bravado and hands on her hips.
