Caught on video: GOP Rep. Blake Moore dozes off during late-night House Vote
Utah congressman, Blake Moore dozes off during an 18-hour committee session as lawmakers debate amendments to a major reconciliation package.
Republican Representative Blake Moore of Utah briefly fell asleep during a pivotal House Ways and Means Committee meeting held early Wednesday morning. The session, which extended over 18 hours, focused on amendments to a sweeping reconciliation bill that includes President Donald Trump’s tax cuts and could impact programs like SNAP and the Affordable Care Act.
Moore dozed off around 4:57 a.m. ET, just as members were preparing to vote on an amendment introduced by Democratic Representative Judy Chu of California. The amendment aimed to preserve automatic enrollment in the Affordable Care Act for gig workers and others with unpredictable incomes. Moore was nudged awake by Representative Michelle Fischbach of Minnesota, prompting laughter among lawmakers before he cast his vote against the measure, which ultimately failed along party lines.
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Reactions and aftermath of the sleepy moment
The moment, captured on video and shared by C-SPAN’s Howard Mortman, quickly gained attention on social media, where it had over 80,000 views by mid-morning. Moore later addressed the incident in a statement to Newsweek, referring to it as a “quick power nap” and thanking his colleague for keeping him on track.
Reactions online ranged from humorous to empathetic. Washington Post columnist Karen Tumulty joked, “He got 'woke,’” while another user wrote, “We’ve all been Blake Moore at one point in our lives.” Moore represents Utah’s 1st Congressional District, a solidly Republican area that re-elected him in 2024 by more than 30 percentage points.
Next steps for the tax bill
Despite the overnight fatigue, the committee continued its work, ultimately advancing the bill. The full House is expected to vote on the reconciliation package in the coming days. Speaker Mike Johnson aims to pass the legislation by Memorial Day, leaving a narrow window for final negotiations and potential revisions.
With a slim seven-seat majority, House Republicans can afford few defections, and every vote — even those cast after a nap — will count toward determining the bill’s fate.
