Jeffries Criticizes Trump and Republicans for Silence Amid Critical Government Shutdown Talks

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) voiced criticism on Sunday, asserting that President Trump and congressional Republicans have been notably silent amid the ongoing government shutdown.

During an appearance on ABC’s “This Week,” Jeffries told Jon Karl, “We haven’t heard a word from Donald Trump or the Republicans in recent weeks. They’ve been completely silent since a meeting on September 29th in the Oval Office involving the president and four congressional leaders.”

The government shutdown, which began on October 1, has now stretched through the weekend. At 19 days, it ranks as the third-longest funding impasse in U.S. history and could become the second-longest if it continues past Wednesday.

Republican lawmakers have advocated for a “clean” funding bill, whereas Democrats, led by Jeffries and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), have been pushing for the inclusion of a permanent extension of Affordable Care Act (ACA) subsidies in any agreement to reopen the government.

Last Wednesday, Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) indicated in an MSNBC interview that he offered Democrats a vote on extending the subsidies by a specific date. However, Thune emphasized his support for reforming the credits, suggesting income caps as a way to restrict eligibility.

Trump also expressed a willingness to cut a deal with Democrats on health care during the shutdown’s first week. Schumer then called for a meeting with the president, which has yet to occur.  

Jeffries said Sunday that Democrats “have repeatedly and publicly and privately” sought to negotiate an end to the shutdown with their GOP colleagues. Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) has argued, though, that the House “did its job” in passing a stopgap funding bill on Sept. 19.

“[Republicans] continue to cancel votes,” Jeffries added on ABC. “They have no interest in doing the business of the American people, and that’s unfortunate.”