Magic minute
Themagic minute,orleadership minute,is a custom in theUnited States House of Representativesthat allowsparty leadersto speak for as long as they wish, in contrast with other members, who have to adhere to strict time limits. The convention was notably used byNancy PelosiandKevin McCarthyin 2018 and 2021, respectively, to speak for records of over eight hours.
Background
[edit]Speeches one minute in length are allowed before or after legislative sessions every day. The members are asked to stay within a 300 word limit. The speeches are granted with permission from theSpeaker.[1]
The magic minute is distinct from theSenate filibuster.[2]The House speaker, majority leader, and minority leader are afforded this privilege and their speeches are considered to have taken one minute, regardless of actual length. This has the effect of not taking up other members' allotted times.[3]TheHouse parliamentarianhas advised in response to queries regarding time limits that "it is the custom of the House to hear the leader's remarks"[4]and that party leaders had "used a customary amount of time" in answer toparliamentary inquiriesabout how much time had elapsed since they began speaking.[5]
History
[edit]
The custom has been used by leaders of both parties.Champ Clark,the minority leader in 1909, spoke for five hours and fifteen minutes against tax reforms; this remained the record for over a hundred years.[6]
In June 2009, minority leaderJohn Boehnerspoke for under two hours[α]opposing an energy bill, theAmerican Clean Energy and Security Act.[4]
In February 2018,[6]Democraticminority leaderNancy Pelosiused the magic minute (calling it the "leadership minute" )[7]to speak for a then-record of eight hours and seven minutes,[β]calling for legislation protectingDREAMers.Much of the speech was spent reading their letters;[10]the feat was called "pretty darned impressive" byRepublicanSpeaker of the HousePaul Ryan,who highlighted her use of high heels throughout the speech.[11]
In November 2021, minority leaderKevin McCarthyused the magic minute to speak for eight hours and thirty-two minutes, prior to the passage of PresidentJoe Biden'sBuild Back Better bill.During the speech, McCarthy mentioned how he became a Republican partly because of PresidentJimmy Carter's penchant for wearing sweaters[3]and howbaby carrotswere "just big carrots. They chop 'em and they charge you more and you buy them."[8]Other talking points included how he wished he "could have been inTiananmen Squareand... thereknocking down the Berlin Wall",and how he could not" even afford to test drive aTesla,andElonis one of [his] best friends. "[9]
In the aftermath of McCarthy's speech, the longest in the House's modern history, White House Press SecretaryJen Psakiremarked that he did not talk aboutclimate changeorchild carecosts, despite the length of the speech.[3]
See also
[edit]Notes
[edit]- ^Sources disagree on how long the speech was, withRoll Callstating he spoke for 60 minutes[4]andThe Washington Poststating he spoke for "about 90 minutes".[3]
- ^AlthoughRoll Callstates she spoke for eight hours and six minutes,[4]The Washington Post,The Boston Globe,andThe Independentstate she spoke for eight hours and seven minutes.[3][8][9]
References
[edit]- ^"Floor Procedure In The U.S. House Of Representatives".Rules House.Rules House.RetrievedJanuary 4,2022.
- ^Gaudiano, Nicole (February 7, 2018)."Nancy Pelosi told DREAMer stories for more than 8 hours on the House floor".USA Today.Archivedfrom the original on October 22, 2019.RetrievedJanuary 2,2022.
- ^abcdeSotomayor, Marianna; Kane, Paul; Alemany, Jacqueline (November 19, 2021)."McCarthy's overnight speech – longest in modern history – underscores rancor in the House".The Washington Post.Archivedfrom the original on December 4, 2021.RetrievedJanuary 1,2022.
- ^abcdKelly, Ryan (February 7, 2018)."Nancy Pelosi Claims Record for Longest House Floor Speech".Roll Call.Archivedfrom the original on January 2, 2022.RetrievedJanuary 2,2022.
- ^Johnson, Charles W. III; Sullivan, John V.; Wickham, Thomas J. Jr. (December 2017). "Party Organization".Precedents of the United States House of Representatives(PDF).Vol. 1.United States Government Publishing Office.pp. 288–289.Archived(PDF)from the original on September 7, 2021.RetrievedJanuary 2,2022.
- ^abMcCausland, Phil (February 8, 2018)."Pelosi sets House record with eight-hour speech backing DACA".NBC News.Archivedfrom the original on December 13, 2021.RetrievedJanuary 2,2022.
- ^Bowden, John (February 7, 2018)."Maxine Waters: Pelosi's speech one of 'most profound' moments in history of Congress".The Hill.Archived fromthe originalon November 9, 2020.RetrievedJanuary 19,2023.
- ^abUlloa, Jazmine (November 27, 2021)."In Kevin McCarthy's 8-hour tirade, a rambling attempt to show he can lead the rancorous Republicans".The Boston Globe.Washington.Archivedfrom the original on January 2, 2022.RetrievedJanuary 2,2022.
- ^abMishra, Stuti (November 19, 2021)."Kevin McCarthy swings from Tiananmen Square and Musk to Trump not winning Nobel in rambling 8-hour speech".The Independent.Archivedfrom the original on December 9, 2021.RetrievedJanuary 2,2022.
- ^Peoples, Steve; Fram, Alan (February 8, 2018)."Pelosi speaks for record 8 hours in favor of 'Dreamers'".AP News.Archivedfrom the original on January 2, 2022.RetrievedJanuary 2,2022.
- ^Collins, Michael; Gaudiano, Nicole (February 8, 2018)."Paul Ryan applauds Nancy Pelosi's stamina during eight hour talk-a-thon".USA Today.Archivedfrom the original on March 2, 2020.RetrievedJanuary 2,2022.