A video of Utah Congressman Blake Moore dozing off during a key vote has gone viral, drawing a mix of amusement and criticism across social media platforms. The moment occurred during an intense all-night meeting of the House Ways and Means Committee in Washington, D.C., where members were locked in a marathon session debating tax policy and spending proposals related to former President Donald Trump’s fiscal agenda.
The committee meeting, which began at 2 p.m. Eastern on Tuesday, stretched into the early hours of the next day. By the time voting took place—just before 5 a.m. on Wednesday—many lawmakers appeared visibly exhausted after nearly 15 hours of discussion and negotiation.
As the camera panned across the room to capture members casting their votes, viewers noticed Rep. Blake Moore slumped in his chair, apparently fast asleep. The vote taker called out, “Mr. Moore, Mr. Moore,” and paused, unsure how to proceed. Fellow committee member Rep. Michelle Fischbach of Minnesota, who was seated beside Moore, leaned over and tapped him on the arm to wake him.
The interaction sparked laughter among committee members. Moore, clearly caught off guard but taking it in stride, chuckled along with the group. He quickly recovered, cast his vote, and gave a theatrical seated bow, eliciting more laughter from the room.
The humorous clip quickly made its way to social media, with users sharing the footage across TikTok, X (formerly Twitter), and Instagram. Within hours, the video had accumulated hundreds of thousands of views and comments. Reactions ranged from jokes about congressional nap time to expressions of sympathy for lawmakers enduring such grueling hours.
One user commented, “Honestly, I don’t blame him. 15 hours of tax talk would knock out anybody.” Another wrote, “At least he still voted and had a sense of humor about it.”
However, not all the responses were lighthearted. Some critics questioned the efficiency of scheduling critical votes after such lengthy sessions. “Why are our lawmakers expected to make major decisions when they’re clearly sleep-deprived?” one user asked. “This is a flaw in the system, not just a funny moment.”
Moore, a Republican representing Utah’s 1st Congressional District, had earlier shared his support for the tax legislation under discussion. Posting on X before the vote, he wrote, “Our tax bill will deliver real results for Utahns and Americans across the nation.” His statement focused on reforms aimed at reducing tax burdens and promoting economic growth.
Despite the viral moment, Moore’s office has not issued an official comment on the video. However, sources close to the congressman say he maintains a full schedule and took the incident in good humor, recognizing the demands of serving on such a pivotal committee.
This is not the first time a lawmaker has been caught snoozing during long Capitol Hill sessions. With debates often stretching into the early morning hours, it’s not uncommon for members—regardless of party affiliation—to momentarily doze off. Yet Moore’s nap has caught wider attention in part due to the video’s timing and the growing interest in behind-the-scenes moments of political life.
As the House continues its work on complex tax and spending measures, the viral clip serves as a reminder of the human side of governance—where even lawmakers can hit their limit after hours of intense debate. Whether the moment will have any lasting impact on Moore’s public image remains to be seen, but for now, it’s provided a brief, if unintentional, break from the usual grind of legislative news.