Congressman Moore Falls Asleep During All-Night Markup

It happens more often than voters probably realize: after hours of testimony and amendments, a congressman dozes off mid-session. This week, that congressman was Rep. Blake Moore of Utah, who was caught on camera catching some sleep during an all-night markup on Trump’s tax and spending agenda. The moment went viral within hours, but the real story isn’t just about a nap—it’s about the grinding pace of congressional work that makes such fatigue almost inevitable.

Political Party: Republican · State Represented: Utah · Committee Involved: House Ways and Means · Bill Discussed: Reconciliation bill · Other Lawmakers Affected: Debbie Dingell, Jan Schakowsky

Is Congressman Blake Moore a Republican?

Rep. Blake Moore is a Republican who represents Utah’s 1st Congressional District. He won the seat in 2020 and has served in the House since January 2021. Moore aligns with the Republican Party’s platform on fiscal issues, consistently voting in favor of conservative tax and spending policies.

Party affiliation details

Moore ran as a Republican in a district that has historically leaned conservative. His campaign focused on fiscal responsibility, job creation, and limited government. Since taking office, he has maintained near-unanimous support from the Republican leadership on major legislation, including the reconciliation bill that was the subject of the marathon markup session.

Voting record highlights

His voting pattern shows strong support for the party’s priorities, including tax cuts, spending reductions, and Deregulation. Moore’s presence on the Ways and Means Committee—the oldest tax-writing committee in Congress, established in 1789 (House Ways and Means Committee Official Site)—gives him direct influence over the reconciliation package that has become central to Trump’s legislative agenda.

Who fell asleep in Congress today?

On May 14, 2025, Rep. Blake Moore of Utah was caught on camera falling asleep during a House Ways and Means Committee markup session. CBS footage captured Moore with his head tipped onto his left shoulder as the committee called his name for a vote on an amendment to the Affordable Care Act (Axios Salt Lake City). The incident occurred just before 5am Eastern, approximately 14–15 hours into the all-night session that began at 2pm the previous afternoon.

Blake Moore incident specifics

According to multiple news reports, Moore had been participating in the extended markup of the Republicans’ reconciliation bill—Trump’s signature tax agenda and spending package. The vote taker called “Mr. Moore, Mr. Moore?” with a notable pause when there was no response, prompting Rep. Michelle Fischbach (R-MN) to tap Moore awake (KUTV). After waking, Moore voted “no” on the ACA amendment—which would have allowed families to enroll in ACA plans without manual income verification—and laughed with colleagues before taking a seated bow as the committee laughed along with him.

“Our tax bill will deliver real results for Utahns and Americans across the nation.”

— Rep. Blake Moore (R-UT), posted on X earlier that day

Video evidence from meeting

Video footage from both local and national outlets confirmed Moore’s drowsiness during the vote. KUTV’s coverage and BBC’s YouTube Short both showed the congressman in a clearly fatigued state (KUTV YouTube, BBC YouTube Short). The video circulated widely online by mid-morning, with social media users variously finding the moment humorous or emblematic of legislative exhaustion.

The incident drew a lighthearted response from the committee, with Moore himself seemingly unbothered by the attention. He posted on X that same day promoting the reconciliation bill, noting its benefits for Utahns and Americans broadly.

What are the beliefs of Blake Moore?

Blake Moore’s political beliefs align closely with the mainstream Republican platform, particularly on economic and fiscal policy. His advocacy for the reconciliation bill stems from his stated commitment to delivering tax relief and reducing government spending.

Political positions

Moore has consistently supported tax cuts, Deregulation, and reduced federal spending. His backing of the reconciliation bill aligns with Trump’s stated priorities on trade policy, tax reform, and social program restructuring. The congressman has framed his work in terms of delivering tangible results to his constituents, emphasizing economic opportunity and fiscal discipline.

Key policy stances

On the specific amendment he voted on while asleep, Moore’s “no” vote reflected the Republican conference’s general opposition to expanding ACA provisions. The amendment would have simplified enrollment processes, but Republican members argued it could increase costs or encourage improper enrollment—a position Moore apparently shared, regardless of his drowsy state during the vote.

What Happened During the Committee Meeting?

The House Ways and Means Committee convened on May 13, 2025, at 2pm Eastern to begin markup on the Republicans’ reconciliation bill—a sweeping package advancing Trump’s tax agenda and spending priorities. The session extended through the night, reaching its 14th and 15th hours by early morning on May 14.

Marathon session details

Committee members worked through the night, considering dozens of amendments to the reconciliation legislation. The pace was grueling even by Washington standards, with lawmakers, staff, and witnesses operating on minimal sleep. By the time Moore’s vote was called just before 5am, the session had already consumed more than half a day (KUTV).

The House Ways and Means Committee holds jurisdiction over tax policy, trade agreements, and social programs including Social Security and Medicare. Its current role in the reconciliation process makes its markups particularly consequential—and particularly lengthy.

“Mr. Moore… Mr. Moore?”

— Vote taker during the Ways and Means Committee markup, calling Moore’s name

Reconciliation bill context

The reconciliation bill under consideration represents a major legislative priority for the Republican majority and the Trump administration. It encompasses tax cuts, spending reductions, and changes to mandatory programs. The bill’s scope explains the committee’s intensive work schedule, as members worked through hundreds of pages of proposed changes.

Moore had publicly supported the bill, posting on X before the markup that “Our tax bill will deliver real results for Utahns and Americans across the nation.” His participation through the overnight session, even with visible fatigue, reflects the intensity of the legislative push.

Who Else Fell Asleep in the Meeting?

Moore wasn’t the only lawmaker to struggle with exhaustion during the intense legislative period. Reps. Jan Schakowsky (80, IL) and Debbie Dingell (71, MI) both dozed off during a separate marathon session of the Energy and Commerce Committee, which lasted over 20 hours on budget amendments (LiveNow from FOX). The two Democratic congresswomen joked about their fatigue on social media, acknowledging the physical toll of the extended proceedings.

Debbie Dingell involvement

Rep. Debbie Dingell, a Michigan Democrat, joined Schakowsky in experiencing exhaustion during the Energy and Commerce markup. The 71-year-old congresswoman acknowledged the toll publicly, joking on X about her own drowsiness. Her response framed the fatigue as an expected side effect of the legislative process rather than a personal failing.

Jan Schakowsky reaction

Rep. Jan Schakowsky, an 80-year-old Illinois Democrat, similarly addressed her tiredness on social media. Her age makes the extended hours particularly notable, though her willingness to joke about the experience suggests the incident has been processed with humor rather than embarrassment. Both lawmakers’ public responses indicate an acceptance that all-night markups take a physical toll that occasionally manifests visibly.

The comparison between the incidents reveals a bipartisan reality: marathon legislative sessions are physically demanding regardless of party affiliation. Moore’s Republican colleagues laughed with him; Schakowsky and Dingell joked on social media. The response in both cases was collegial rather than critical, acknowledging that exhaustion is an occupational hazard of congressional work.

The reconciliation bill’s progression through the House represents a high-stakes legislative effort that has consumed enormous committee resources. Moore’s visible fatigue—and the similar experiences of lawmakers across the aisle—underscores the physical demands of the process. For Moore specifically, the incident offers both risk and opportunity: scrutiny about his attention during consequential votes, but also an opportunity to demonstrate that even a drowsy vote still reflects considered policy judgment rather than mere party-line obedience.

For Utah’s 1st Congressional District, the implications of Moore’s marathon session extend beyond one viral moment. The reconciliation bill includes provisions that will affect tax rates, healthcare subsidies, and federal spending levels—all issues that Moore will be expected to explain to constituents when he returns home. Whether he was fully alert during every vote may matter less than whether the final legislation actually delivers the “real results” he promised on X.