Arizona U.S. Rep. David Schweikert, who chairs the Joint Economic Committee, admitted to KTAR News that he was asleep when the House voted on a crucial spending bill, a key part of President Donald Trump’s agenda. Schweikert said he had been working on the "One Big Beautiful Bill Act" for 36 hours straight and took a short break that inadvertently turned into a nap. "Next thing I know, I’m holding a cup of coffee and my phone is ringing saying the vote is on. I’d fallen asleep," Schweikert told ABC15 . Unfortunately, he missed the vote, which proved to be razor-thin in passage.

The bill in question extends the 2017 Trump-era tax cuts while implementing significant Medicaid funding cuts. In a Tucson-based podcast, Schweikert explained his exhaustion. "It's embarrassing. I fell asleep sitting here with my coffee mug in my lap, watching the minority leader do their speech." As reported by 12 News , the congressman reached the chamber just as the Speaker closed the vote, remarking , "The speaker slams the gavel down as I'm walking in the door. Apparently, they didn’t need me."

While Schweikert's absence did not prevent the bill's passage — it passed by only one vote — the implications for Arizona residents are substantial. Healthcare advocates, such as Helena Whitney from the Arizona Hospital and Healthcare Association, are expressing concerns. According to a statement provided by Whitney to 12 News, the bill could negatively affect hundreds of thousands of low-income Arizonians dependent on Medicaid. She elaborated, "At the beginning of this process, I was terrified about what was going to happen. Today, I'm saddened by what we have, and I'm worried for the people of Arizona, but I'm not terrified anymore."

Federal bill, now headed to the Senate, contains more stringent work requirements for Medicaid recipients, which healthcare advocates fear will unnecessarily push people off the rolls. "The work requirements are, I believe, absolutely designed to eliminate people from the roll," Whitney said in a statement obtained by 12 News .