Rep. Jan Schakowsky stumbled on the House floor Wednesday while opposing Republican tax legislation during heated floor debate.
The Illinois Democrat had been criticizing what she called the “Big Ugly Bill” ahead of a lengthy filibuster by House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries. The incident occurred as lawmakers worked to pass sweeping tax legislation before the July 4 recess.
I’m not just a no on Trump’s Big Ugly Bill, I’m a HELL NO!
We can’t let the House Floor turn into a crime scene.
If Republicans proceed with stripping health care from 17 million Americans, 51,000 people will die each year. All this to give tax cuts to billionaires. pic.twitter.com/WUcF3Hd7hj
— Jan Schakowsky (@janschakowsky) July 2, 2025
The Fall and Wider Concerns
The stumble has drawn attention to ongoing discussions about the advanced age of many Washington lawmakers. The issue gained prominence following former President Joe Biden’s debate performance in 2024 and his subsequent exit from the presidential race.
Schakowsky, who has served in the House since 1998, announced earlier this year she would not seek reelection in 2026. She previously spent seven years as a state legislator in Illinois.
The Legislative Push
The House passed the tax bill Thursday on a 218-214 vote, sending it to President Trump’s desk. The measure extends individual tax cuts from Trump’s 2017 legislation and eliminates taxes on tips, overtime pay, and Social Security benefits for seniors.
“Campaigns are filled with promises and ‘most’ administrations are filled with excuses but NOT @Potus, who once again delivered for the American people,” said Mark Meadows, former White House chief of staff, on X.
What the Bill Contains
The legislation makes significant changes to Medicaid by tightening eligibility rules to exclude unauthorized immigrants, a move projected to save $1 trillion over a decade. It also allocates $46.5 billion to complete the border wall along the U.S.-Mexico border.
The bill represents a major legislative victory for Trump six months into his second term. This story has been updated. CNN’s staff contributed to this report.
