Trump's Agenda Collapses... And It Was Caught on Camera

U.S. Capitol at dusk as seen from the eastern side, 2013. Photo by Martin Falbisoner under CC BY-SA 3.0.

By sunrise on May 15, America had already picked its favorite new meme — three exhausted lawmakers caught sleeping on the job, mid-debate, mid-markup, and mid-crisis. Rep. Blake Moore (R-Utah) slouched like a commuter who missed his stop. Rep. Jan Schakowsky (D-Illinois) looked like she was dreaming of retirement. And Rep. Debbie Dingell (D-Michigan)? Eyelids sealed shut with her desk cluttered with beverages — now internet infamy.

But the viral nap-fest was more than just a sleepy sideshow. It laid bare a nation's uneasy relationship with its leaders — overworked, overexposed, and over it.

A Spectacle of Sleepless Politics

The drama unfolded during a brutal overnight session in Washington, as the House plowed through President Trump's signature "big, beautiful" legislative agenda — a sweeping proposal combining tax reform, Medicaid cuts, and border security into a single $5 trillion package, according to the New York Post.

With the July 4 deadline looming, congressional committees worked through the night to keep the package on track. The Ways and Means Committee, charged with finalizing tax provisions, spent 17 grueling hours on markup. Energy and Commerce? Still going after 24. No wonder fatigue won.

But the internet had no patience. Social media lit up with snark, especially after C-SPAN cameras zoomed in on Moore, 44, nodding off just before a vote. Conservative commentators spliced the footage into lullaby montages. "Debbie Dingell is NOT woke," one headline mocked, according to the New York Post.

Others called for term limits and blasted lawmakers. According to NEWS 18, one X user posted, "These are the people making decisions about YOUR life. No urgency. No shame. Just naps on taxpayer time." Some even demanded apologies.

Dingell Fires Back: '31 Hours Straight'

Dingell, a 71-year-old Democrat from Michigan, didn't let the jeering go unanswered.

"Been up for 31 hours straight fighting Republicans trying to gut Medicaid," she wrote on X, according to NEWS 18. "Closed my eyes to think about an America where everyone has access to quality, affordable health care."

Many on the internet rolled their eyes. But others pointed out the brutal nature of the session, noting that lawmakers had been working through the night — with some committees deliberating for more than 24 hours.

Rep. Schakowsky, 80, who was also caught resting during the hearing, had recently announced she will not seek reelection in 2026 — a decision that may have added a human, if humbling, layer to the viral moment.

Behind the Yawns: A $900 Billion Fight

The backdrop to the late-night collapse is no joke. At the center of the debate sits $900 billion in proposed spending cuts — including sweeping reductions to Medicaid and food assistance programs like SNAP.

President Trump's proposal revives and expands on his first-term tax cuts, pledging no taxes on tips, no taxes on overtime, and billions in border funding. But the Medicaid cuts — affecting nearly 70 million Americans — have Democrats drawing lines in the sand.

Even within the GOP, things aren't smooth. Infighting over the state and local tax deduction (SALT) and concerns from moderates about voter backlash threaten to derail the bill's passage.

Republicans hope to get the measure to Trump's desk by Independence Day. But first, they'll have to survive another month of late nights — and possibly more viral moments.

The Cost of 'Going Viral'

The meme-ification of Moore, Dingell, and Schakowsky reveals more than just a giggle-worthy lapse. It reflects an era when the cameras never blink and public patience with government feels paper-thin.

In another era, all-nighters were signs of dedication. In 2025, they're punchlines.

References: Reps. Blake Moore, Debbie Dingell, Jan Schakowsky doze off during grueling overnight committee work | SNOOZE YOU LOSE Stunning moment Dem falls asleep in Congress & then insists Republicans are to blame as she's blasted as 'absolute joke' | 'What A Joke': US Lawmakers Trolled For Taking A Nap During Marathon Hearing | Watch | Rep. Blake Moore hopes new leadership role will help GOP 'go out and win the future'