House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) said Monday he will oppose a Republican-sponsored spending bill aimed at reopening the federal government, setting the stage for another partisan clash as the shutdown enters its second month.
The legislation, which passed the Senate late Sunday by a 60–40 vote with bipartisan support, was expected to pave the way toward ending the shutdown that began on November 1.
Jeffries, however, said House Democrats would not support the measure, contending that it does not adequately address key Democratic policy goals.
The bill will still likely pass in the House given that Republicans have a majority. Assuming it passes the House, it will then go to President Donald Trump’s desk for signature.
That said, Jeffries on Monday expressed support for Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), backing his Senate counterpart as left-wing extremist Democrats voiced growing frustration over the compromise agreement to end the government shutdown.
“Yes and yes,” Jeffries told reporters when he was asked if Schumer has been an effective Democratic leader in the Senate and if he should retain his position.
Jeffries, joined by other top Democratic leaders, has signaled plans to oppose the Republican-backed stopgap funding bill when it comes before the House later this week. Schumer likewise voted against advancing the measure during Sunday’s Senate session.
Their continued opposition to reopening the government, however, is at odds with their claims of being advocates for the millions of federal workers and U.S. military personnel who have now gone without paychecks for two cycles.
It’s also counter to their claims that Republicans are responsible for shutting down the government and keeping it closed, despite their votes for a new funding bill to reopen more than 14 times.
Jeffries praised Senate Democrats for their resistence, saying, “the overwhelming majority of Senate Democrats, led by Chuck Schumer, have weighed a valiant fight over the last seven weeks, defeating the partisan Republican spending bill 14 or 15 different times, week after week after week.”
The Senate agreement was crafted through bipartisan negotiations led by Senators Angus King (I-Maine), Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), and Maggie Hassan (D-N.H.), working alongside several Republican lawmakers. The proposal would fund the government through January and end what has become the longest shutdown in U.S. history without imposing significant spending cuts.
Several Senate Democrats joined Republicans in supporting the package, calling it an essential measure to restore stability and prevent further economic disruption. In addition, one of them – Shaheen – told Axios this week that Schumer privately fought to extend the shutdown even though she and other Democrats were working behind the scenes with Republicans to end it more quickly.
Jeffries’ opposition has stalled the bill’s progress in the House, where his position holds significant influence among Democrats. Without their backing, House Republicans must decide whether to advance the bill on their own or return to negotiations to address the concerns raised by Jeffries and his caucus.
Central to Jeffries’ opposition is the bill’s omission of a provision to extend Affordable Care Act (ACA) tax credits set to expire under Democrats’ 2022 reconciliation law. Democratic leaders have been advocating for a one-year extension to prevent millions of Americans from facing higher health insurance premiums next year.
Republicans are seizing on Jeffries’ resistance to claim that Democrats are prolonging the standoff.
The shutdown, which began after Congress failed to pass a continuing resolution by November 1, has led to the closure of multiple federal agencies and forced thousands of employees into furloughs. The economic impact continues to mount, with small businesses and government contractors warning of widespread ripple effects if the stalemate persists.
Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) told Newsmax on Monday that once the government shutdown ends, House Republicans are readying ideas to tackle rising healthcare costs.
The House on Sept. 19 passed a clean continuing resolution 217-212 that would fund the federal government through Nov. 21, but the measure quickly stalled in the Senate amid a broader fight over Affordable Care Act subsidies.
The pandemic-era subsidies, which were created by Democrats, are scheduled to expire at the end of the year, the outlet reported.
