Democratic Rep. Doris Matsui (Calif.) appeared to fall asleep Wednesday while House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D., Calif.) gave an hours-long, filibuster-style speech on the House floor in a bid to force votes on immigration reform.
Matsui, 73, who has served in Congress since 2005, was in the House chamber to support Pelosi's efforts. Pelosi began talking shortly after 10 a.m., using her right as minority leader to speak for as long as she wants, and has yet to stop. She has already set the record for the longest continuous speech in House history, according to the House Historian's Office.
Matsui appeared to doze off as Pelosi continued to tell personal stories about Dreamers, illegal immigrants brought to the U.S. as children, in an attempt to convince House Republicans to take action on immigration reform.
Pelosi and Democrats are hoping to pressure House Speaker Paul Ryan (R., Wis.) to hold votes on immigration legislation, as both the House and Senate seek to create a budget plan to send to President Donald Trump's desk. Lawmakers are currently considering legislation that "includes several Democratic priorities but does not address immigration," according to the Washington Post.
Pelosi has said she is determined to find a solution to the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, which provides legal protections to Dreamers.