House votes on massive spending bill after GOP Leader McCarthy's record-long speech

The Democrat-controlled House is voting Friday morning on its nearly $2 trillion spending bill after GOP Leader Kevin McCarthy's record-long, eight-plus hour speech that lasted into the early morning.

The California Republican broke the record set by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi in 2018. The California Democrat broke the previous record, set in 1909.

McCarthy's speech on the House floor began Thursday night and delayed the planned vote on the Democrats' bill, which includes President Biden's Build Back Better agenda.

As McCarthy continued to speak at 12:30 a.m. on Friday, House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer's office said the House would recess after the minority leader's speech and reconvene at 8 a.m. to "complete consideration" of the bill.

McCarthy assailed the Democrats' social spending bill as a step toward socialism.

“You’re going to break America," McCarthy said, referring to increasing government spending while interest costs on the nation's nearly $29 trillion national debt continue to rise.

The CBO estimated on Thursday that Biden's social spending bill will add $367 billion to the deficit but Democrats are moving forward with it anyway.

McCarthy blasted Democrats for voting on the legislation with inflation at a record high level. He said the last time gas prices were as high as they are now was when Biden served as vice president. 

"Your Thanksgiving in America will be the most expensive. The president talks about a world where every nation plays by the same rules. But when it comes to global elites, he makes sure the rules he applies to us don't apply to them. That's how socialism works," McCarthy said. "You see, they build up the bureaucracies. They spend more than they spent during World War II. It creates inflation, creates supply chain problems. By the way, those who run society get ahead while those who make society run are pushed back. Republicans know there is a better path."

McCarthy said the Democrats' legislation greatly expands the federal bureaucracy with new social programs such as universal pre-K, a child care support program and installing a network of electric vehicle charging stations throughout the nation.

"You're giving an incentive not to work," McCarthy said during the speech.

The bill also includes $7,500 tax rebates on electric vehicle purchases plus $4,500 tax rebates specifically for union-made electric vehicle sales. 

The California Republican's speech can be viewed here.