Is Bipartisanship Dead? feat. Leader Hakeem Jeffries

Fri Mar 14 2025

It’s shutdown day in America, with lawmakers facing a midnight deadline to pass a government funding bill that keeps the proverbial lights on. After days of back and forth, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said Thursday he would vote to advance the House Republicans' spending plan to a final floor vote, signaling Democrats may fold on their earlier threats of a funding standoff. But Senate Republicans likely need at least seven more Democrats to help them break a filibuster and avert a shutdown, and it’s not yet clear they have those votes. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries of New York talks about why his caucus remains opposed to the Republican plan, and what’s next if it passes. And in headlines: A federal judge ordered the Trump administration to reinstate thousands of fired probationary employees, Russian President Vladimir Putin added more conditions to a U-S backed ceasefire plan with Ukraine, and dozens of people were arrested while protesting the detention of a Col...

Summary

What a Day Podcast Summary: "Is Bipartisanship Dead?" Featuring Leader Hakeem Jeffries

Release Date: March 14, 2025
Host: Jane Coston
Guest: House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries

Introduction

In this compelling episode of What a Day, Jane Coston delves into the pressing question: Is Bipartisanship Dead? To provide insightful perspectives, she sits down with House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries. The discussion centers around the looming threat of a government shutdown, the dynamics within the Senate Democrats, and the broader implications for American governance.

Government Shutdown and Senate Dynamics

Current Situation:
As of Thursday night before the recording, Senate Democrats were poised to vote on government funding. A faction within the Senate Democrats sought to block a continuing resolution (CR) proposed by the House, arguing that the CR was less favorable for Americans than facing a potential government shutdown. This stance was influenced by the administration's and certain Republican leaders' reluctance to respect congressional spending decisions.

Key Points Discussed:

Critique of the House Bill:
Senator Chuck Schumer criticized the House CR, stating, “The House wrote a bad bill and then left town Tuesday. [...] The House has written a bill that hurts the country” (01:28).
Jeffries on Shutdown Consequences:
Hakeem Jeffries emphasized the severe repercussions of a shutdown, noting, “While the CR bill is very bad, the potential for a shutdown has consequences for America that are much, much worse” (02:15).
Democratic Strategy:
Jeffries highlighted the dilemma faced by Democrats — whether to accept the flawed CR to keep the government running or to risk a shutdown to oppose the administration's agenda. He underscored the importance of negotiating a spending agreement that genuinely serves the American people's needs.

Impact of a Shutdown Under the Trump Administration

Historical Context:
Jeffries drew parallels between potential shutdown risks and previous instances, including the 1990s under President Bill Clinton and Speaker Newt Gingrich, and the 2018-2019 shutdown during Trump's first term.

Economic and Social Risks:
Jeffries expressed concerns about the current political climate exacerbating economic instability, stating, “Donald Trump and Republicans are crashing the economy in real time. [...] We need to provide relief to everyday Americans” (07:34).

Power Dynamics:
A significant fear is that a shutdown could grant Elon Musk and the Trump administration unchecked authority to dismantle vital government services. Jeffries reassured federal workers that existing laws would remain in effect, preventing Musk from gaining additional power (11:40).

Communicating with the American Public

Challenges in Messaging:
Jeffries acknowledged the difficulty Democrats face in countering the pervasive influence of Trump and Musk in the media and on social platforms. He emphasized the need for continuous, clear communication to inform and mobilize the public.

Engagement Strategies:

Town Hall Meetings: Encouraging constituents to attend local gatherings to voice their concerns.
Direct Communication: Urging individuals to reach out to their congressional representatives to share personal stories and priorities.
Advocacy Involvement: Participating in local advocacy organizations to amplify collective efforts.

Jeffries highlighted a proactive initiative: “Next Tuesday, we're going to have a Medicaid day of action as House Democrats all across the country […] because it has to be a collective effort” (08:49).

Future Outlook and Democratic Resilience

Ongoing Budget Battles:
Jeffries expressed determination to continue opposing extreme legislative measures, regardless of whether Senate Democrats ultimately support the House plan. He assured that House Democrats would persist in their efforts to safeguard essential services and oppose significant cuts to healthcare, nutrition assistance, and veterans' benefits (10:51).

Maintaining Momentum:
Despite potential setbacks, Jeffries remained optimistic about the American public's recognition of Republican leadership's role in economic and governmental challenges. He cited declining Trump popularity and economic indicators as signs that the American people are aware of the administration's detrimental policies (08:25).

Conclusion

The episode underscores the pivotal moment facing Senate Democrats as they navigate the complexities of government funding amidst a polarized political landscape. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries articulates a clear strategy focused on protecting American interests, combating extreme partisan agendas, and fostering robust communication to uphold democratic values. The conversation highlights both the challenges and the resilience within the Democratic caucus as they strive to avert a government shutdown and advocate for effective governance.

Notable Quotes

Chuck Schumer:
“The House wrote a bad bill and then left town Tuesday. [...] The House has written a bill that hurts the country.” (01:28)
Hakeem Jeffries:
“While the CR bill is very bad, the potential for a shutdown has consequences for America that are much, much worse.” (02:15)
“Donald Trump and Republicans are crashing the economy in real time. [...] We need to provide relief to everyday Americans.” (07:34)
“Next Tuesday, we're going to have a Medicaid day of action as House Democrats all across the country […] because it has to be a collective effort.” (08:49)
Jane Coston:
“So you're saying that blocking this bill is worth the risks?” (07:20)

Timestamp References

01:28 – Critique of the House CR by Chuck Schumer
02:15 – Hakeem Jeffries on the consequences of a shutdown
07:20 – Discussion on the risks of blocking the bill
07:34 – Jeffries on economic risks under the Trump administration
08:25 – Jeffries on communicating with the American public
08:49 – Jeffries on Medicaid day of action
10:51 – Future outlook and budget battles
11:40 – Jeffries on assurances for federal workers

This summary captures the essence of the episode, focusing on the critical dialogue between Jane Coston and Hakeem Jeffries regarding bipartisanship and the potential government shutdown. It provides a comprehensive overview for listeners and those who seek to understand the current political challenges without having tuned into the podcast.

Transcript

Jane Coston (0:03)

It's Friday, March 14th. I'm Jane Coston and this is what a day. The show that reminds you that if you're having a bad day, it's definitely better than North Carolina Republican Representative Chuck Edwards. Town hall on Thursday, Actually, I believe that the president is very supportive of Ukraine. Tough crowd of constituents in North Carolina. On today's show, a federal judge tells the Trump administration to reinstate thousands of fired probationary employees. And dozens of people are arrested while protesting the detention of a Columbia University student activist. But let's start with the chance of a government shutdown tonight. Senate Democrats are scheduled to vote on government funding today. This story is moving very quickly. We recorded this episode on Thursday night. And as of Thursday night, some Senate Democrats wanted to block a continuing resolution that would keep the government open, arguing that the bill stemming from the House is a worse bet for Americans than a government shutdown would be. Especially given that President Donald Trump and billionaire co President Elon Musk have shown little to no willingness to respect Congress's spending decisions. And that would go for a continuing resolution, too. Here's Virginia Democratic Senator Tim Kaine speaking to reporters on Thursday about just how bad this bill is.

Chuck Schumer (1:28)

The House wrote a bad bill and then left town Tuesday. And so Speaker Johnson is the speaker of the House. He's not the czar of the Senate. So when I have Republican senators saying openly in an armed services hearing, this House CR hurts the national defense. When I have Pentagon officials saying this House CR hurts the national defense, you know, I don't really view this as just a R versus default. The House has written a bill that hurts the country.

Jane Coston (1:57)

The bill likely would need at least eight Democratic senators to pass. But other Senate Democrats like Minority Leader Chuck Schumer have said that they would vote for it. On the Senate floor Thursday, Schumer said that a shutdown would give Trump and Musk, quote, carte blanche to destroy vital government services at a significantly faster rate.

Hakeem Jeffries (2:15)

While the CR bill is very bad, the potential for a shutdown has consequences for America that are much, much worse.

Jane Coston (2:27)

Some Senate Democrats who oppose the bill are supporting a 30 day funding extension to give more time for negotiations. But again, Republicans are in charge of both the House and Senate, so there's little to no chance of that happening. But to Trump, despite Republicans being in charge of Congress, a shutdown would be all the fault of Democrats. If there's a shutdown, it's only because of the Democrats and they would really be taken away a lot from our country. It's true. Democrats are in A weird position. On the one hand, a government shutdown would be painful for federal workers and for everyday Americans who need government services. And let's remember that what stays open and what closes under a shutdown would be determined by the whims of Donald Trump. That seems to be driving some Democrats to vote for the bill. But other Democrats, and this might be, you want to see someone stand up to Trump and Musk and a shutdown might be the way to do so. So to talk about what Democrats should do about a possible shutdown and how they should handle it if one happens, and about Democratic strategy more broadly, I spoke with House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries on Thursday afternoon before Senator Schumer spoke on the floor. Leader Jeffries, welcome to what a day.