Shocking footage from Capitol Hill is reigniting the national conversation on term limits and age restrictions for members of Congress after two Democrat lawmakers were caught fast asleep during a live committee hearing.
The video, captured by journalist and former congressional candidate Matthew Foldi, shows Rep. Debbie Dingell (D-MI, age 71) and Rep. Jan Schakowsky (D-IL, age 80) appearing to doze off during a session of the House Energy and Commerce Committee on Wednesday.
Caught in the Act: Two Naps, One Hearing
In the now-viral footage, Foldi pans his camera across the committee room and zooms in on Rep. Dingell, who appears visibly asleep during live testimony. Moments later, Rep. Schakowsky is also seen nodding off as Rep. Diana DeGette (D-CO) delivers remarks defending Planned Parenthood’s federal funding.
The incident has sparked widespread backlash and laughter online, but it underscores a very serious problem in American governance: the gerontocracy that refuses to let go of power.
Mockery of Duty, Disrespect to Taxpayers
Americans are struggling under the weight of inflation, a collapsing border, and runaway federal spending — and while the nation suffers, some members of Congress are literally sleeping on the job.
“This is what our taxes pay for? Lawmakers taking naps while we fund their salaries, pensions, and travel?” one outraged voter commented on X.
The footage also fuels the growing sentiment that Congress is increasingly out of touch with the real world, operating more like a retirement home than a legislative body.
Time for Term Limits and Age Caps
This embarrassing display has renewed demands for congressional term limits and even mandatory retirement ages — proposals long blocked by career politicians who cling to power.
It’s no secret that many in both parties continue to serve into their 70s, 80s, and even 90s. But when lawmakers are literally asleep during critical policy debates, it raises a hard question:
How can they govern a 21st-century nation when they can’t stay awake in a committee hearing?
America Deserves Better
Congress has become a symbol of stagnation, and Wednesday’s footage is just the latest example of why voters are fed up. Whether it’s failing to pass meaningful reforms, ignoring the public will, or dozing off mid-session, the system is broken — and the people know it.
It’s time for new blood, real accountability, and leaders who are actually awake — both figuratively and literally.
