WASHINGTON — They’ve transitioned from a government shutdown to a verbal shout-down.
Rep. Mike Lawler (R-NY), representing the Hudson Valley, engaged in a heated exchange with House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) concerning the ongoing partial government shutdown. The confrontation unfolded at the close of a press conference on Wednesday.
Approaching Jeffries, Lawler confronted him about the lack of bipartisan efforts to prolong the Affordable Care Act (ACA) tax credits.
“Did Donald Trump give you a nod to say that?” retorted a grinning Jeffries, as Lawler began to question him in front of reporters.
Holding a printout of the legislation aimed at extending the ACA credits, Lawler denied Trump’s influence over him, emphasizing how Jeffries has consistently voted for interim funding measures to prevent shutdowns in the past.
“You’re merely performing to stay relevant,” Jeffries snapped back. “You’re just embarrassing yourself right now.”
“It’s unfortunate; you could sign onto this right away,” Lawler remarked. “You have four Democrats on board. Why not join them?”
Democrats have repeatedly obstructed a GOP-backed continuing resolution (CR) that would fund the government until Nov. 21.
They are demanding the reversal of Medicaid reforms along with an extension of enhanced Obamacare subsidies, which are set to expire at the year’s end, as a condition to breaking the Senate filibuster to reopen the government.
Another encounter in the hallway between House members — Mike Lawler pressing Hakeem Jeffries to support a bipartisan bill to temporarily extend enhanced ACA credits.
“You’re embarrassing yourself,” Jeffries repeated pic.twitter.com/seGKlcMRiF
— Liz Elkind (@liz_elkind) October 8, 2025
Jeffries has shrugged off the calls for a temporary subsidy extension, insisting it should be permanent as part of his terms to reopen the government.
During their back-and-forth, the leading Democrat teased Lawler about the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (currently the Working Families Tax Cut Act).
“I backed a tax cut bill that provided the most significant tax relief to Americans ever, including an average $4,000 cut for New Yorkers,” he stated.
Jeffries criticized that the megabill drastically reduced Medicaid funding, while Lawler countered that the GOP’s changes aimed to eliminate waste and fraud.
“Look, you’re not going to speak over me … and ignore what I say. Just keep quiet for a moment,” the House Minority Leader shot back.
He further charged Lawler with favoring tax breaks for the wealthy, but the Republican representative clarified that the megabill expanded the standard deduction, commonly utilized by middle-class families, and raised the cap on the state and local tax (SALT) deduction.
“Why are you even here? Where are your fellow Republicans?” Jeffries pressed.
House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) has kept the lower chamber out of session as a strategic pressure tactic aimed at persuading Senate Democrats to support a clean CR that his chamber passed last month. This method allows the House to remain out of session, thus unable to consider a revised CR despite Democratic negotiation efforts.
The two lawmakers exchanged jabs, with Jeffries accusing Lawler of staging a publicity stunt for his reelection, while Lawler taunted that the Brooklyn Democrat spent $42 million last election cycle without much success.
Lawler also targeted Jeffries over when he intends to endorse fellow Democrat, Mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani, noting his notable criticism of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on the anniversary of the Oct. 7, 2023 attack. Jeffries opted not to engage.
“I’ve indulged you. You’ve had your fifteen minutes of fame,” Jeffries stated after approximately five minutes of the verbal spar. He smiled as he walked away, adding, “You’re a complete embarrassment… and you’re heading for defeat next year.”
Earlier that day, Johnson had a tense exchange with Senators Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz.) and Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.) outside his office, as tensions escalated in the Capitol.
