House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries and GOP Rep. Mike Lawler went head-to-head on Capitol Hill Wednesday (Oct. 8), and it got heated to say the least. The New York lawmakers squared off over a push to temporarily extend Affordable Care Act (ACA) tax credits as the government shutdown drags into its eighth day.
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Things went from tense to explosive when Jeffries called out Lawler for catering to his “billionaire donors,” and flat out told him: “Shut your mouth.”
Lawler urged Jeffries to sign onto his temporary extension, as health care premiums could skyrocket by the end of the year if ACA credits expire, but the minority leader is standing firm against the proposal. According to The Hill, Jeffries is rejecting what he called a “band-aid solution,” insisting that the country needs “a meaningful response to addressing the Republican health care crisis.”
When Lawler aggressively confronted Jeffries in front of cameras following Wednesday’s conference, Jeffries turned the heat way up.
“Did your boss, Donald Trump, give you permission?” Jeffries spat to the GOP rep. “Why don’t we sign off right now,” Lawler urged.
“You’re making a show of this to make yourself relevant,” the Brooklyn Democrat added. “You’re embarrassing yourself. You’re chasing clout. You’re an embarrassment.” Jeffries accused Lawler of backing the “Big Ugly Bill” to give permanent tax breaks to the wealthy while leaving working-class Americans behind.
“Why don’t you just keep your mouth shut, because you showed up. And you voted for this ‘One Big Ugly Bill’ — a permanent extension of massive tax breaks for your billionaire donors — so they can get a permanent extension. But working-class Americans can’t?” Jeffries questioned Lawler.
Fans sounded off in the comments section, as some felt Jeffries “mopped the floor” with Lawler, while others felt that Jeffries had weak rebuttals.
Democrats have blocked a GOP-backed continuing resolution to keep the government funded through Nov. 21, pushing instead for a permanent ACA extension, per the New York Post. Republican leaders rejected the proposal, setting the stage for the federal shutdown. While political leaders continue to bicker, the Black community is on high alert as essential services continue to be disrupted.
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