House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries Talks Government Shutdown

Summary

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Podcast Summary: House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries Talks Government Shutdown

Podcast: Bloomberg Talks
Host: Bloomberg
Guest: House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY)
Date: October 9, 2025
Duration (main content): ~13 minutes

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Episode Overview

This episode features an in-depth conversation with House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries amid an escalating government shutdown. Jeffries discusses the root causes of the shutdown, focusing on health care policy, negotiations (or lack thereof) with Republicans, the impact on Americans, Democratic party unity, and tensions within New York politics. The interview provides a candid look at the impasse in Congress, Jeffries’ critiques of both process and substance, and his priorities for reopening the government while protecting health care and social support programs.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Shutdown Negotiations and Partisan Gridlock

Theme: Jeffries paints the GOP as obstructionist and unwilling to negotiate seriously on reopening the government.

• Democratic Willingness to Negotiate:
  • “We will sit down anytime, anyplace, with anyone either here at Capitol Hill or back at the White House in order to reopen the government...” (01:00)
• Republican Intransigence:
  • No substantial talks between House Republicans and Democrats since a White House meeting the previous Monday.
  • “The behavior of Republicans since that point in time has been unserious and erratic.” (01:55)
• Consequences of Shutdown:
  • Service members without pay, concerns about funding for food stamps, air traffic controllers calling out. (04:11)

2. Health Care Crisis and Affordable Care Act Subsidies

Theme: The expiring ACA tax credits are a central crisis, with tens of millions facing increased premiums and loss of insurance.

• Urgency of ACA Subsidy Extension:
  • “Over the next few weeks, tens of millions of Americans are going to receive notices indicating that their premiums, copays and deductibles are about to skyrocket in many instances by thousands of dollars per year.” (02:40)
  • Impact: “People are going to go without health insurance, face medical bankruptcy, and be jammed up... unable to access it because they'll be without health insurance.” (02:54)
• Blame Assignment:
  • Jeffries claims Republicans refuse to extend ACA tax credits and have instead passed “the largest cut to Medicaid in American history”—to fund tax relief for the wealthy. (03:23)
• Expiration of Subsidy:
  • Jeffries defends Democrats’ temporary extension as a negotiation tactic, expecting Congress would further extend it.

3. Characterization of Republican Proposals

Theme: Jeffries frames the GOP's proposals as anything but "clean" and labels them as harmful.

• Not a Clean Resolution:
  • “It's not a clean continuing resolution.” (06:14)
  • He cites $500M in cuts to law enforcement and broader damage to health care, veterans, housing, and families in the Republican March bill, rejecting the notion it’s business as usual. (06:23)
• Comparison with Past Agreements:
  • Refers to a bipartisan spending agreement from December the prior year as a missed opportunity. (06:23)

4. Negotiation Dynamics and Potential Paths Forward

Theme: Jeffries signals Democratic willingness to evaluate bipartisan Senate proposals but maintains core demands.

• Good Faith Evaluation:
  • “We will evaluate in good faith any bipartisan proposal that is sent over to us from the Senate if it decisively addresses the Republican health care crisis.” (07:42)
• Demand for Meaningful Action:
  • Proposals must “actually improve the lives of the American people,” not just serve as political facades.

5. Military and Essential Pay During Shutdown

Theme: Strong support for ensuring service members aren’t harmed, with pointed criticism of GOP priorities.

• Support for Standalone Legislation:
  • Jeffries: “Our view in the House is that we should stand by our men and women in uniform and make sure that they do not miss a paycheck.” (08:41)
• Criticizes Speaker Johnson for “ruling out” addressing military pay and for canceled votes during a crisis. (08:41)

6. Political Tensions and Interpersonal Drama on Capitol Hill

Theme: The interview delves briefly into political theater and in-party tensions, focusing on Jeffries’ spat with Rep. Mike Lawler.

• Description of Mike Lawler:
  • “MAGA Mike Lawler is an irrelevant individual. He's a clout chaser. And he was stalking the Democratic leadership press conference in ways that are unhinged.” (09:54)
  • Reiterates: “Complete and total embarrassment, as a description, was a polite use of words.” (10:41)

7. Democratic Party Unity, Values, and New York Politics

Theme: Jeffries centers Democratic unity on “a strong floor and no ceiling,” ties social programs to party identity, and demurs on New York mayoral endorsements.

• Party Identity:
  • “What unites us is that we believe in a strong floor and no ceiling.” (11:24)
  • Recites core Democratic programs: “Social Security and Medicare, Medicaid, Supplemental Nutritional Assistance, Veterans Benefits, and, of course, the Affordable Care Act.” (11:24)
  • Critiques Republicans for “assaulting the floor” and “rewarding their billionaire donors... skyrocketing the debt by more than $3 trillion in such a fiscally irresponsible fashion.” (11:24)
• Mayoral Race/Election Endorsement:
  • “In the middle of a government shutdown... I will have more to say about the mayor's race in advance of early voting in New York City, which begins at the end of this month.” (12:28)

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On health care urgency:

  “Tens of millions of Americans are going to receive notices indicating that their premiums, copays and deductibles are about to skyrocket... People are going to go without health insurance, face medical bankruptcy, and be jammed up in a situation where they need for themselves, their children and their families, but will be unable to access it.”
  — Hakeem Jeffries (02:40-02:54)

• On the legislative process:

  “Unfortunately, Republicans chose earlier this year to pass their one big, ugly bill, largest cut to Medicaid in American history... and they did all of this to pay for massive tax breaks that they made permanent for their billionaire donors…”
  — Hakeem Jeffries (03:23)

• On Republican tactics:

  “They've taken a my way or the highway approach. They've gone it alone. And now we find ourselves dealing with this mess of this Republican health care crisis. And time has run.”
  — Hakeem Jeffries (04:37)

• On the GOP’s stopgap funding measure:

  “That's a Republican talking point, unfortunately, that they are putting into the public domain. It's not a clean continuing resolution.”
  — Hakeem Jeffries (06:14)

• On internal Congressional drama:

  “MAGA Mike Lawler is an irrelevant individual. He's a clout chaser... his behavior clearly speaks for itself. Complete and total embarrassment, as a description, was a polite use of words.”
  — Hakeem Jeffries (09:54, 10:41)

• On Democratic values:

  “We believe in a strong floor and no ceiling... That strong floor includes Social Security and Medicare, Medicaid, Supplemental Nutritional Assistance, Veterans Benefits, and, of course, the Affordable Care Act.”
  — Hakeem Jeffries (11:24)

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Timestamps for Key Segments

• [01:00] – Jeffries’ opening stance on negotiations and health care as central issue
• [01:55] – Update on state of negotiations following White House meeting
• [03:23] – Discussion of Democrat-passed subsidy expiration and blame for current crisis
• [04:11] – Impact of shutdown on essential Americans and rejection of Republican offers
• [05:15] – Jeffries distances discussion from notions of political leverage; focuses on cost of living
• [06:14] – Talks about ‘clean’ vs. ‘partisan’ stopgap bills
• [07:42] – Democratic openness to evaluating bipartisan proposals on health care
• [08:41] – Jeffries calls for immediate action to pay military service members
• [09:54] – Addressing confrontation with Rep. Mike Lawler
• [11:24] – Statement on Democratic unity and party values
• [12:28] – Noncommittal response on New York mayoral endorsement

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Conclusion

This interview offers a pointed, unapologetic Democratic perspective on the 2025 government shutdown, anchored in health care, criticism of Republican tactics, and strong party values. Jeffries is both combative and pragmatic, repeatedly inviting true bipartisanship while condemning what he sees as Republican obstruction and harm to everyday Americans. For listeners looking to understand Democratic priorities and rhetorical approaches during the shutdown, this episode is packed with quotable moments and clear policy framing.

Transcript

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[Podcast/Radio Announcer]

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[Interviewer/Host]

News Sticking with the shutdown as tensions are rising on Capitol Hill, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries of New York is confident a spending bill can pass, but says Republicans must first address what he calls a health care crisis. House Leader Jefferies joins us now. Congressman, thank you so much for being with us. House Leader I want to just start with whether you feel confident that you can complete some sort of agreement in the next few days. Do you have a time frame as these discussions do?

[House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries]

Well, good morning. Great to be with you. You know, as Democrats, we've repeatedly made clear we will sit down anytime, anyplace, with anyone either here at Capitol Hill or back at the White House in order to reopen the government to enact a spending bill that actually meets the needs of the American people as opposed to hurting everyday Americans. And of course, that spending bill must decisively address the Republican health care crisis that is hurting working class Americans and middle class Americans all throughout the as it relates to the urgent need to reauthorize and extend the Affordable Care act tax credits.

[Interviewer/Reporter]

Well, the speaker told us yesterday that Congress is having these talks when it comes to subsidies reform. Are you part of these talks? And just a quick condolences because I know you, like me, were up late watching the Yankees lose and I know you're a huge fan. Minority Leader Jefferies well, thank you.

[House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries]

They had a great season. Unfortunately, it didn't end the way that we expected. But on to next year with respect to, you know what the speaker has indicated. There's been no conversation between House Republicans and House Democrats or between the Republican Party, Donald Trump, the administration and any of us on Capitol Hill, including conversations that should be taking place with Leader Schumer and Senate Democrats since that White House meeting that occurred last Monday. That's unfortunate. And the behavior of Republicans since that point in time has been unserious and erratic. And we continue to urge them to find a path forward to sit down. Let's talk exercise common sense on behalf of the American people. But anything that's done has to address this urgent need. You know, the open enrollment period starts on November 1st. Over the next few weeks, tens of millions of Americans are going to receive notices indicating that their premiums copays and deductibles are about to skyrocket in many instances by thousands of dollars per year. People are going to go without health insurance, face medical bankruptcy, and be jammed up in a situation where they need for themselves, their children and their families, but will be unable to access it because they'll be without health insurance.

[Interviewer/Reporter]

It was a Democratic policy, though. Your party voted for this temporary subsidy increase. Do you regret having an expiration date on this?

[House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries]

No. We were able to extend it through the end of this year in full anticipation that any reasonable member of Congress will understand that you cannot kick tens of millions of Americans, Americans off of health care that's become affordable for them as a result of the tax credits. Unfortunately, Republicans chose earlier this year to pass their one big, ugly bill, largest cut to Medicaid in American history. Ripped food away from the mouths of hungry children and seniors and veterans. And they did all of this to pay for massive tax breaks that they made permanent for their billionaire donors, while at the same time refusing to extend the Affordable Care act tax credits. Which is why we found our found ourselves in this situation situation right now.

[Interviewer/Host]

Leader Jefferies, some people would argue that what the Republicans are offering is to have a clean, continuing resolution and to continue negotiating this, given the fact that at the same time they're going to be service members who are not going to be paid. There's going to be a question around food stamps, stamps and whether they're going to be funded. Air traffic controllers are calling out sick because they're not receiving paychecks. At what point do you just say, look, we need to keep people getting paid and we can keep talking.

[House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries]

We want to reopen the government and we want to reopen it immediately, but we also need to enact a spending agreement that actually improves the quality of life of the American people as opposed to hurting everyday Americans, which Republicans have been doing all throughout this year. And they've refused. They've refused to negotiate at every step of the way throughout this year. They've taken a my way or the highway approach. They've gone it alone. And now we find ourselves dealing with this mess of this Republican health care crisis. And time has run.

[Interviewer/Host]

Leader Jefferies, do you think that you've gotten more leverage as this process has gone on, or do you think that it's actually waning?

[House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries]

Well, it's actually not about leverage for us. It's about the American people. That's the fight that we're waging, particularly in an environment where the cost of living is way too high. People are already paying too much for groceries, for housing, for their electricity bills. And now of course they're confronting the very real possibility of being bankrupted by the rising costs of their health insurance. So we're just asking Republicans to sit down and negotiate. That's what should take place, not simply a my way or the highway approach. Particularly when they're asking Democrats to support a partisan Republican spending bill that continues to gut the health care of the American people.

[Interviewer/Reporter]

But right now Republicans are asking is to support a clean continuation resolution, a stopgap funding measure which we've seen time and time again that Democrats also wanted Republicans to support in the fast passed. Why are Democrats choosing to keep the government shut?

[House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries]

That's a Republican talking point, unfortunately, that they are putting into the public domain. It's not a clean continuing resolution.

[Interviewer/Reporter]

Why isn't it in March?

[House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries]

I'd be happy to explain that in March the Republicans passed a partisan bill in the House that Democrats strongly oppose. We opposed that spending bill because it hurt veterans, hurt children and families, it hurt housing affordability and it hurt health care because of the cuts that were included in it. There was actually a bipartisan spending agreement that we reached last December that passed overwhelmingly in the House and in the Senate. It was signed into law by President Joe Biden and it had the support of then President elect Donald Trump. That would have been a clean spending agreement that could have been put before the Congress. Instead, they passed this partisan Republican spending bill in March that we strongly opposed and now they want us to continue to sign off on that particular bill that also includes $500 million in cuts to law enforcement, grants to support police officers all across the country. That's just not something for a variety of reasons we can support at this particular point in time.

[Interviewer/Reporter]

Do you think the Democratic Party could commit to broader reforms when it comes to the Affordable Care act and keeping less of the subsidies? Could this be potential off ramp for a deal?

[House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries]

I think that our view certainly in the House, is that we will evaluate in good faith any bipartisan proposal that is sent over to us from the Senate if it decisively addresses the Republican health care crisis with respect to the Affordable Care act, tax credit extensions or any other issues that may be put on the table because of the enormity of the attack on the health care of the American people that Republicans have waged this year. It's got to be meaningful. It's got to actually improve the lives of the American people. But unlike Republicans who have adopted this my way or the highway approach, we are actually willing to Sit down and evaluate in good faith anything that could advance the ball here for working class Americans, middle class Americans and everyday Americans.

[Interviewer/Reporter]

Is there an opportunity for standalone legislation to make sure that the more than 1 million active duty service members get paid next week?

[House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries]

Certainly. Our view in the House is that we should stand by our men and women in uniform and make sure that they do not miss a paycheck. Unfortunately, Speaker Johnson has ruled that out, saying it's not really an issue that he's prepared to deal with, in part because Republicans canceled votes last week, canceled votes this week. Apparently they may not be coming back next week. And what is that all for? Why are they on vacation in the middle of a government shutdown, particularly as it relates to the real possibility that our military families might miss a paycheck that they cannot afford to miss. We're urging Republicans to get back into town, allow us to deal with the military pay issue, allow us to deal with the Republican health care crisis, and allow us to reopen the government so we can enact the spending agreement that meets the needs of the American people.

[Interviewer/Reporter]

Peter Jeffries, we also saw a pretty explosive argument between you and fellow New York Congressman Mike Lawlor. And then you proceeded to call Lawler an embarrassment on television. Was this fight, Representative, the state tensions that are going on within the Republican Party in New York State right now?

[House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries]

Well, maga, Mike Lawler is an irrelevant individual. He's a clout chaser. And he was stalking the Democratic leadership press conference in ways that are unhinged. And, you know, at the end of the day, our view is the people who need to sit down and have the conversation with us. Republican leadership in the House and in the Senate. The Trump administration, including the president or the vice president or anyone that they designate, are the ones who are ultimately going to determine how we can find a bipartisan path out of it. And we look forward to having those conversations. But unfortunately, Republicans to date have declined to do that.

[Interviewer/Reporter]

Well, what was he doing that you deem unhinged? And have you seen spoken to him since? Have tensions cooled? It doesn't sound like they have.

[House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries]

He's an irrelevant individual. And as I indicated, his behavior clearly speaks for itself. Complete and total embarrassment, as a description, was a polite use of words.

[Interviewer/Host]

Leader. There's a question here about how difficult it is to get to unify the Democratic Party because, you know, this is somebody who is a Republican. He's not relevant in his district. And there is a question here, especially in New York, how to get some, some sort of cohesive message As a Democrat, I'm just wondering, from your perspective, especially as it relates to the Democratic mayoral race in New York City, you haven't endorsed Zoran Mamdani. How difficult is it to get sort of a leadership view of where the Democratic Party is going to go?

[House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries]

Well, listen, as Democrats, what unites us is that we believe in a strong floor and no ceiling. At the end of the day, in America, you work hard, you play by the rules, There should be no ceiling to your success in terms of what you can achieve for yourself, for your family and for your children. At the same point in time, we also believe that in this great country, the wealthiest country in the history of the world, that we need a strong floor. That strong floor includes Social Security and Medicare, Medicaid, Supplemental Nutritional Assistance, Veterans Benefits, and, of course, the Affordable Care Act. And what unites Democrats at this particular point in time is the fact that Republicans are assaulting the floor that we should have for everyday Americans, while at the same time rewarding their billionaire donors and, by the way, in doing so, skyrocketing the debt by more than $3 trillion in such a fiscally irresponsible fashion.

[Interviewer/Reporter]

Leader Jeffries, you did tell reporters last month you plan to address the mayor race in New York soon. Do you have a plan to endorse Zoramdani?

[House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries]

We're in the middle of a government shutdown. People are being hurt all across the country because Trump and Republicans decided to shut down the government rather than provide health care to working class Americans. And so what I've indicated, particularly most recently when Mayor Adams decided that he wouldn't seek reelection, is that I will have more to say about the mayor's race in advance of early voting in New York City, which begins at the end of this month.

[Interviewer/Host]

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, thank you so much for your time.

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