On the eighth day of the 2025 government shutdown, tensions on Capitol Hill reached a new peak as House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) confronted Rep. Mike Lawler (R-NY) outside a press event, triggering a heated exchange that captured the attention of both lawmakers and the media.
The encounter quickly intensified, with each side sharply criticizing the other’s approach to federal funding and healthcare policy.
The disagreement arose when Lawler urged Jeffries to support bipartisan legislation aimed at extending ObamaCare subsidies scheduled to expire at year’s end.
Democrats have insisted that any federal funding bill must address the continuation of these subsidies before reopening the government.
“We’ve got a one-year extension, why don’t you sign on right now?” Lawler pressed, prompting Jeffries to question whether Lawler had clearance from President Donald Trump.
Lawler clarified that his position was independent, portraying the subsidy extension as a vital measure for millions of Americans while underscoring broader Republican accomplishments under Trump.
Jeffries responded by criticizing Lawler’s support for the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, describing it as “the largest cut to Medicaid in American history.”
“You’re embarrassing yourself,” Jeffries said, gesturing toward Lawler to emphasize his point.
The exchange quickly turned personal.
Jeffries instructed Lawler to “keep his mouth shut” after repeated interruptions, while Lawler highlighted Democrats’ absence from the House floor during the shutdown, despite Speaker Mike Johnson’s appeals to keep the focus on Senate Democrats’ refusal to accept the GOP funding proposal.
Local politics also entered the debate.
Lawler pressed Jeffries on whether he would endorse Democratic socialist candidate Zohran Mamdani in the New York City mayoral election.
Jeffries sidestepped the question, asserting that he only responds to inquiries he deems necessary. “First of all, I don’t answer to you,” he said. “You don’t even answer to yourself.”
Jeffries accused Lawler of staging a viral moment by repeatedly referencing Trump-era policies.
“Are you trying to elevate yourself because you’re afraid you’re going to lose reelection? You’re chasing clout,” he said, using hand gestures to reinforce his point.
The confrontation underscored the growing visibility of partisan clashes in the House as the shutdown drags on.
Meanwhile, Senate Democrats rejected the House-passed funding bill for the sixth consecutive time, signaling that the shutdown is likely to extend into its ninth day.
Democrats have largely refused to consider measures that do not include a temporary extension of the expiring ObamaCare subsidies, Fox News reports.
Lawler also criticized Jeffries for remaining silent on the NYC mayoral race, particularly regarding Mamdani’s comments following the Oct. 7 terror attacks, which blamed “the Jews.”
Jeffries declined to respond, further fueling attention on the confrontation and highlighting the intersection of local politics with national policy debates.
As negotiations continue, the standoff between Lawler and Jeffries reflects the deep partisan divide over federal spending, healthcare policy and electoral strategy.
With high-stakes legislation still unresolved and the NYC mayoral election approaching, the Capitol clash illustrates the intensity of political maneuvering in Washington and its ripple effects on local contests.
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