Fact Check: The longest vote in U.S. House history lasted over seven hours.

Fact Check: "The longest vote in U.S. House history lasted over seven hours."

What We Know

The claim that "the longest vote in U.S. House history lasted over seven hours" is supported by multiple sources. On November 5, 2021, Speaker Nancy Pelosi initiated a vote that was originally scheduled for 15 minutes but was kept open for seven hours and six minutes, breaking the record for the longest vote in modern House history (Tenney, 2021). This extended voting period was criticized by various lawmakers, including Congresswoman Claudia Tenney, who introduced a resolution to amend House rules to prevent such lengthy votes in the future (Tenney, 2021).

Additionally, historical records indicate that the longest vote prior to this incident was during a contentious Speaker election in the late 19th century, but the recent vote is noted as the longest in modern times (U.S. House of Representatives, 2025).

Analysis

The evidence supporting the claim comes from credible sources, including official statements from Congress and historical records maintained by the U.S. House of Representatives. The U.S. House of Representatives provides a detailed account of its historical voting records, and the press release from Congresswoman Claudia Tenney (Tenney, 2021) offers a firsthand account of the event, including the context and implications of the extended voting period.

While Tenney's press release may carry a partisan tone, it accurately reports the duration of the vote and the circumstances surrounding it. The reliability of the U.S. House of Representatives as a source is high, given its official status and historical documentation. Other sources, such as Axios (Axios, 2025), corroborate the claim by also reporting on the record-breaking vote, indicating a consensus among multiple outlets regarding the event's significance.

Conclusion

The claim that "the longest vote in U.S. House history lasted over seven hours" is True. The evidence from multiple reliable sources confirms that the vote on November 5, 2021, lasted seven hours and six minutes, setting a new record for the House of Representatives.

Sources

1. The Longest and Most Contentious Speaker Election in House ...
2. Congresswoman Claudia Tenney Introduces VOTE Resolution to Restore ...
3. Party Divisions of the House of Representatives, 1789 to Present
4. House Republicans advance toward vote on Trump's tax- ...
5. Senate Breaks Vote-a-Rama Record Before Passing Trump's Domestic Bill
6. United States House of Representatives
7. Republicans break record for longest House vote on "big ...