Arizona Congressman Caught Napping During Crucial Spending Bill Vote: ‘It’s Embarrassing’

WASHINGTON — In a startling revelation, Arizona Representative David Schweikert missed a pivotal vote on a significant Republican spending bill due to sheer exhaustion. The legislation, which passed the House by a narrow margin, seeks to extend the 2017 Trump-era tax cuts.

During an interview with a Tucson-based podcast, Schweikert recounted how he had worked tirelessly preparing the bill but dozed off just before the crucial vote. “It’s embarrassing,” he confessed. “I fell asleep sitting here with my coffee mug in my lap.”

As a staunch advocate against national debt, Schweikert entered the House chamber only to find the Speaker had already closed the vote. “The speaker slams the gavel down as I’m walking in the door,” he remarked. “Apparently, they didn’t need me.”

The vote’s margin was razor-thin. Schweikert humorously noted his lack of sleep, stating, “Did I mention I’ve only had, like, two hours of sleep?”

This legislation includes one of the largest Medicaid funding cuts in recent history, raising concerns among healthcare advocates in Arizona. Helena Whitney of the Arizona Hospital and Healthcare Association expressed deep concerns about the consequences for low-income residents relying on Medicaid. “At the beginning of this process, I was terrified,” she stated. “Today, I’m saddened by what we have, and I’m worried for the people of Arizona.”

As Arizona already imposes work requirements on some Medicaid recipients, the new federal bill threatens to tighten these regulations further. Whitney criticized the proposed changes, suggesting they are engineered to reduce the number of people benefiting from the program. “The work requirements are, I believe, absolutely designed to eliminate people from the rolls,” she stated.

The bill now moves to the Senate for further consideration.