‘Let the Record Reflect’: This Congressman Went Barefoot to Honor Bob Weir on the House Floor

U.S. Rep. Jared Huffman, whose California district includes Marin County, tells us about his appreciation for Weir and the Dead

February 17, 2026

On Feb. 4, 2026, Bob Weir‘s spirit was present on the House of Representatives floor. Congressman Jared Huffman made sure of it. The California Democrat, whose districts include Sonoma, Mendocino, Humboldt, and the Grateful Dead’s home base of Marin County, took off his shoes and socks, then stepped up to the podium to mark the moment. “Mr. Speaker, let the record reflect I delivered these remarks barefoot in honor of Bobby Weir,” said the U.S. representative. “I think he would appreciate that.”

A ranking member of the House Natural Resources Committee, Huffman has shared stages with members of the band in the past, tackling such issues as climate policy and environmental preservation. A guitar player himself, he’d communicated with Weir by text a few weeks before the rock legend’s Jan. 10 death. “He was just sounding off about the state of the world,” says Huffman of the exchange. “I told him what a weird trip it was to be in the arena in this moment, and Bob quipped back that he was glad that he was too old to be drafted.”

Huffman went on to use the “special order” session to recognize one of his musical heroes. He spoke to Rolling Stone about his love of the Dead, and admiration for Weir.

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By:  Shirley Halperin
Source: Rolling Stone