Home Minority Chief Hakeem Jeffries tussled with reporters Friday, pushing again in opposition to the notion that the Democratic Get together is fractured as some Senate Democrats, together with their chief, have been on the cusp of becoming a member of Republicans to avert a authorities shutdown.
“Is it time for brand spanking new management within the Senate?” a reporter requested.
“Subsequent query,” Jeffries answered, notably withholding his public assist for Senate Minority Chief Chuck Schumer.
“There are some colleagues of yours right here within the Home which might be feeling betrayed. Is that what you feel proper now?” one other reporter requested.
Home Minority Chief Hakeem Jeffries speaks alongside Reps. Pete Aguilar and Katherine Clark throughout a press convention on Capitol Hill March 14, 2025.
Francis Chung/POLITICO through AP
“The vote hasn’t occurred but,” Jeffries stated.
“Have you ever misplaced confidence in him — because you guys see this so in a different way?” a reporter requested.
“Subsequent query,” Jeffries repeated, dismissing the biting question.
“None of you’re prepared to say at this level that you’ve got confidence in Chuck Schumer as chief?” Rachael Bade, an ABC Information contributor and Politico’s Capitol bureau chief and senior Washington columnist, requested.
“You retain participating in these parlor video games since you need to take the main target off the American folks,” Jeffries dodged.
Home Minority Chief Hakeem Jeffries speaks throughout a press convention on the US Capitol in Washington, Mar. 14, 2025.
Will Oliver/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock
It was a typical technique from Jeffries, who repeatedly rejected makes an attempt from reporters to be taught extra concerning the divisions between Home Democrats and Schumer, who introduced Thursday that he would vote to maintain the federal government open.
Schumer’s announcement has been met with full-throated criticism from Home Democrats, who have been powerless to dam Republicans from passing the measure earlier this week.
“Home Democrats are right here. We’re able to move a 4 week spending invoice that retains the federal government open and can permit the Home and the Senate to barter an precise settlement that meets the wants of the American folks,” Jeffries, D-N.Y., stated. “However we don’t assist a invoice that’s designed to harm the American folks that Donald Trump and much proper extremist Republicans are attempting to jam down the throats of on a regular basis People.”
Jeffries continued to push for a month-long stop-gap measure, holding out hope that Senate Democrats will cease the invoice from passing and appropriators will reconvene bipartisan negotiations.
“We’ll see what occurs over within the Senate, there are nonetheless undecided and undeclared senators, and we anxiously await that vote,” Jeffries stated.
Because the caucus melts down internally over Schumer’s resolution, Home Democratic leaders returned to the Capitol fired up Friday morning following their caucus retreat in Leesburg, Virginia this week.
“What the American folks have to know is that Home Democrats are prepared to work in a bipartisan approach to hold authorities open for 30 days,” Home Democratic Caucus Chairman Pete Aguilar, D-Calif., stated. “That is all we would like. That is our answer.”
Senate Minority Chief Chuck Schumer speaks on the ground of the Senate, Mar. 14, 2025.
Senate TV
Whereas Schumer’s affect over his caucus stays to be seen forward of the deliberate vote this afternoon, Home Minority Whip Katherine Clark additionally dismissed the so-called “parlor recreation” dividing the Democratic Get together — and downplayed Schumer’s nationwide movie star and affect – regardless that he is served within the Senate for 1 / 4 century and been the occasion chief since 2017.
“Most American folks, they can not title us. They do not know who Chuck Schumer is, however they do know what this administration and Elon Musk and the GOP are planning for them,” Clark, D-Mass., stated.
Home Minority Chief Hakeem Jeffries speaks at a press convention with U.S. Rep. Pete Aguilar on Capitol Hill in Washington, Mar. 14, 2025.
Annabelle Gordon/Reuters
When requested if he is afraid to say if he has confidence in Schumer, Jeffries grew defensive if not outright offended.
“Don’t characterize my remarks. I’m not afraid about something, something. I used to be very clear that we stay up for working with each single one among our Senate Democratic colleagues, each single one among them to push again in opposition to the Trump administration,” Jeffries stated on-camera, leaving the newser in a gaggle with reporters.
“Do you suppose that is what the American folks care about proper?” Jeffries quipped, when pressed once more on his confidence in Schumer.
