Lawler and Jeffries Get Into Shouting Match Over Government Shutdown and ACA Tax Credits

What began as a government shutdown debate quickly turned into a fiery confrontation on Capitol Hill.

Rep. Mike Lawler (R-NY) confronted House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) following a Wednesday press conference, challenging him over his role in the ongoing partial government shutdown. The Hudson Valley Republican criticized Jeffries for not engaging in bipartisan talks to extend the Affordable Care Act (ACA) tax credits.

“Did your boss, Donald Trump, give you permission?” Jeffries shot back with a smirk as Lawler addressed reporters.

Lawler, holding up a copy of legislation extending the ACA credits, rejected the notion that President Trump is his superior. He also reminded Jeffries of his history voting for spending patches to avoid past government shutdowns.

During the tense exchange, Jeffries accused Lawler of grandstanding. “You’re making a show of this to make yourself relevant,” the Brooklyn Democrat said. “You’re embarrassing yourself right now.”

Lawler fired back: “It’s sad, you could sign onto this right now. You have four Democrats on here. Why won’t you sign on?”

The dispute highlights ongoing Democratic opposition to a GOP-backed continuing resolution (CR) that would fund the government through Nov. 21. Democrats have insisted that Republicans reverse Medicaid reforms and extend enhanced Obamacare subsidies, which are set to expire at the end of the year, as conditions for breaking the Senate filibuster and reopening the government.

Jeffries has rejected temporary extensions of the subsidies, insisting any solution be permanent as part of his demands to restore government funding.

The verbal spar also touched on the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, now known as the Working Families Tax Cut Act. Jeffries highlighted that the bill reduced Medicaid funding, while Lawler defended it as targeting waste, fraud, and abuse.

“I voted for a tax cut bill that gave the largest tax cut to Americans in history, including, by the way, the average New Yorker getting a $4,000 tax cut,” Lawler said.

Jeffries accused Lawler of favoring the wealthy. “Listen, you’re not going to talk to me … and talk over me because you don’t want to hear what I have to say. So why don’t you just keep your mouth shut,” the minority leader said. Lawler responded that the bill increased the standard deduction and the state and local tax (SALT) deduction cap, benefiting middle-class Americans.

Jeffries also questioned the presence of Lawler’s colleagues. “Why are you here right now? Where are the rest of your Republican colleagues?” he asked.

House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) has kept the chamber out of session as a strategy to pressure Senate Democrats into backing a clean CR, preventing the House from voting on a modified resolution despite Democratic negotiation attempts.

Throughout the confrontation, both lawmakers exchanged barbs. Jeffries accused Lawler of a political stunt to boost his reelection, while Lawler reminded him of his $42 million spending in the last campaign cycle with limited success.

Lawler also pressed Jeffries on his timing to endorse Democratic New York mayoral hopeful Zohran Mamdani and his criticism of Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu on the anniversary of the Oct. 7, 2023, attack, but Jeffries did not respond.

After roughly five minutes, Jeffries walked away, smiling. “I’ve indulged you. I’ve given you your fifteen minutes of fame. You’re a complete and total embarrassment… and you’re going down for defeat next year.”

Earlier Wednesday, Johnson also confronted Sens. Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz.) and Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.) outside his office as tensions continued in the Capitol.