Senate Democrats, led by Schumer, force full reading of Trump’s 940-page bill, delaying final vote with procedural tactics.

Democrats Deploy Procedural Delay Tactic Ahead of Final Vote

In a dramatic escalation on Capitol Hill, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., has moved to delay President Donald Trump’s sweeping legislative package by forcing Senate clerks to read the entirety of the 940-page bill aloud on the chamber floor. The maneuver, which began after a pivotal procedural vote, aims to slow the Republican push to bring the “big, beautiful bill” to final passage and to give Democrats time to scrutinize its numerous provisions.

“I will object to Republicans moving forward on their Big, Ugly Bill without reading it on the Senate floor,” Schumer stated on X. “Republicans won’t tell America what’s in the bill, so Democrats are forcing it to be read start to finish on the floor. We will be here all night if that’s what it takes to read it.”

Staffers were observed wheeling the hefty bill onto the Senate floor, marking the start of what is expected to be up to 15 hours of continuous reading. The rare move—last deployed in 2021 during budget reconciliation—reflects a strategy by Senate Democrats to maximize transparency and draw public attention to the GOP’s massive legislative effort.

All-Night Reading Sets Stage for Extended Debate

After the bill is read in its entirety, the Senate will begin up to 20 hours of debate, divided evenly between Democrats and Republicans. While Republicans are expected to use less than their full allotment, Democrats have signaled plans to use all 10 of their hours to highlight contentious issues, from Medicaid funding to land sale provisions. The debate will then be followed by a “vote-a-rama,” allowing lawmakers from both parties to propose an unlimited number of amendments, further prolonging the legislative process.

Democratic leaders hope to leverage the reading and ensuing debate to shine a spotlight on what they describe as problematic aspects of the bill and to negotiate further changes. Meanwhile, Senate Republicans, despite internal divisions and ongoing negotiations, continue their march toward a final vote on President Trump’s legislative centerpiece.

The last time such a reading was forced was during the 2021 debate over the American Rescue Act, when Sen. Ron Johnson, R-Wis., demanded the entire bill be read aloud. At that time, Schumer, then Majority Leader, objected to the move as Republicans sought to stall then-President Biden’s agenda.

As the all-night read-a-thon continues, the Senate braces for a contentious showdown that will test party unity, legislative stamina, and the boundaries of parliamentary procedure. The ultimate fate of Trump’s “big, beautiful bill” remains uncertain as both sides prepare for an intense stretch of legislative wrangling.