Hakeem Jeffries levels insults at Mike Lawler rather than answer for Democrats' government shutdown

Representative Mike Lawler confronted House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries on Wednesday over the ongoing government shutdown, criticizing him for refusing to sign a clean one-year extension of Affordable Care Act subsidies, with Jeffries leveling insults at the GOP lawmaker in response. 

The heated exchange, which occurred as Jeffries left a press conference at the Capitol, was posted on social media. Lawler pressed Jeffries, asking, “We got a one-year extension, why don’t we sign on right now?” 

“Did your boss, Donald Trump, give you permission?” Jeffries mockingly responded.

The two engaged in a back-and-forth for several minutes, talking over each other. Jeffries accused Lawler of "chasing clout" and “embarrassing himself,” and told him to “keep your mouth shut.” He added, “And so you voted for this 'One Big Ugly Bill, a permanent extension of massive tax breaks for your billionaire donors.'”

Lawler also questioned Jeffries about New York City mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani, asking him to condemn Mamdani’s rhetoric regarding Israel. 

"You're so afraid of Zohran Mamdani. By the way, when are you endorsing him?” Lawler asked. Jeffries replied, “You're a complete and total embarrassment.”

Obamacare subsidies remain central to the government shutdown, which has now lasted over a week. Democrats have demanded that any funding bill include an extension of enhanced ACA subsidies, set to expire at the end of the year. Republican lawmakers have argued that the subsidies contribute to higher healthcare premiums.

On Tuesday, Jeffries rejected a short-term extension of the subsidies, calling it a “laughable proposition” and a “non-starter” in negotiations.

“Leader Jeffries has once again chosen partisanship over governance,” Congressman Lawler said in a public statement. “Instead of coming to the table to work out a bipartisan compromise that extends ACA credits, he’s playing political games with people’s livelihoods. It’s disgraceful and it’s hurting families across New York and the country.”

“Shutting down the government is cowardice to radicals in the Democratic Party, like AOC and the Squad. I’m in Congress to deliver results for the people of the Hudson Valley,” he continued. “That’s what the American people expect, and they are tired of this nonsense. The only reason we’re in this situation today is because Hakeem Jeffries would rather force a shutdown than let Republicans share in a bipartisan win. That’s shameful.”