While most Americans were fast asleep, a few members of Congress decided to join them—right in the middle of an overnight session.
What was supposed to be a serious debate turned unexpectedly into a viral moment after several lawmakers were caught dozing off during a late-night hearing.
Lawmakers Caught on Camera Napping
A late-night congressional hearing on Capitol Hill turned into an unexpected nap session for three lawmakers.
Video clips from the session show Democrat Representatives Debbie Dingell of Michigan and Jan Schakowsky of Illinois slipping into a light sleep early Wednesday morning.
Dingell, 71, was spotted completely zonked out in her chair, appearing to be in a deep sleep.
She was surrounded by a trio of bottled drinks—perhaps an unsuccessful attempt to stay awake through the lengthy proceedings.
At the same time, 80-year-old Schakowsky was also caught on video, quietly snoozing just a few feet away from another representative who was actively speaking.
Her nap happened to be captured by the corner of a live video feed, making it all the more noticeable—and meme-worthy.
A Gentle Wake-Up Call for Rep. Blake Moore
Across the aisle, Republican Rep. Blake Moore of Utah didn’t escape the sleep spell either.
At 44, he may have been the youngest of the trio, but even that didn’t stop him from nodding off.
In one clip, Moore appears completely unresponsive to a question being posed.
A fellow lawmaker had to gently shake him awake, causing a round of chuckles among those nearby.
Internet Reacts to “Congressional Nap Time”
As you might expect, the internet wasted no time jumping on the footage.
The sight of multiple lawmakers asleep during an important policy discussion ignited a wave of online criticism and sarcastic commentary.
Many questioned the effectiveness of such marathon hearings if they leave elected officials too exhausted to participate meaningfully.
The incident unfolded during an intense overnight debate on the GOP’s proposed domestic policy bill—a session that clearly pushed some members beyond their limits.
So, What Now?
With these unintentional naps making headlines, it’s raising new questions about how Congress conducts long-haul sessions.
Are these overnight marathons productive—or just pushing lawmakers to the brink of burnout?
Whether it sparks change or just more memes, one thing’s certain: next time Congress pulls an all-nighter, people will be watching closely… and maybe keeping score on who stays awake.