Think bedtime stories are just for kids? Think again. At 11:11 p.m. ET, Senate clerks cracked open a 940‑page “Big, Beautiful Bill” and began reciting it line by line in a ritual that can drag past daybreak. The maneuver—triggered when Minority Leader Chuck Schumer objected to waiving the reading—may be procedural, but the oddball details behind this marathon make it prime political theater.
The Midnight Kick‑Off: 11:11 p.m. ET
Senate clerks cracked open the 940‑page “Big, Beautiful Bill” at exactly 11:11 p.m.—a time more suited to bedtime stories than lawmaking. Oh and it’s all because of a North Carolina Republican senator Thom Tillis who defected against the president’s bill last minute—now Trump is threatening to back a primary opponent against him.
Anyways — Good morning, C‑SPAN insomniacs!
940 Pages, Zero Skips Allowed
Because Minority Leader Chuck Schumer objected to waiving the reading, every line—from section headers to sub‑clauses—must be spoken. Estimated run‑time: 10–12 hours.
Tag‑Team Reading, Marathon‑Style
Clerks tackle the recitation in shifts, passing the microphone like a relay baton to stave off vocal fatigue.
Whisper, Shout, or Sing—Volume Is Unlimited
Senate standing orders say clerks may read “at any volume they wish.” A dramatic whisper or a stage‑ready boom? Totally in bounds.
Yes, They Can Speed‑Read
No rule caps the pace, so a clerk could rattle off jargon faster than an auctioneer—if they dare.
Throat Lozenges: The Unsung MVP
Cepastat, Halls, honey—whatever keeps the cords happy fills the clerk’s desk drawer on these nights.
The Three‑Reading Rule (Rarely Followed)
Technically, every Senate bill is supposed to get read aloud three times. Today, the ritual survives mostly in name—until someone objects. Most of the time, the Senate agrees to suspend the requirement with a two-thirds vote.
How Xerox Helped Inflate Legislation
Centuries ago, parchment copies were scarce and bills were short. Once photocopiers arrived, page counts—and reading marathons—ballooned.
Legendary All‑Nighters of the Past
The COVID‑relief bill in 2021 clocked 10 hours 43 minutes after Sen. Ron Johnson objected. In 1996, Sen. Tom Harkin forced a multi-hour aviation‑bill read.
Senators Can Pull the Plug
At any moment, a senator may ask unanimous consent to stop the reading. But it ends only if every colleague stays silent—hence the overnight floor babysitting.
What’s Next for Trump’s ‘Big Beautiful Bill’?
According to prediction markets like Kalshi, there’s still an 88% chance that the bill is passed before July 2. Maybe the president needs to chill out?
The bad news, the rest of us, is that the bill is going to raise energy costs and the national debt. In fact, the bill is going to cost more the $4 trillion, according to the CBO.
