House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) announced Monday that he will oppose a Republican-sponsored spending bill designed to reopen the federal government, setting up another partisan battle as the shutdown enters its second month. The legislation, which passed the Senate late Sunday by a 60\u201340 bipartisan vote, was intended to end the shutdown that began November 1. Jeffries argued that the proposal fails to address key Democratic priorities, signaling that House Democrats will withhold their support when the bill comes to a vote later this week. Despite his opposition, the measure is expected to pass given the Republican majority in the House and will then head to President Donald Trump\u2019s desk for approval.<\/p>\n
Jeffries\u2019 stance has drawn both support and criticism within his party. While he praised Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) as an \u201ceffective leader,\u201d he rejected the compromise bill Schumer helped negotiate. The agreement, crafted through bipartisan talks led by Senators Angus King (I-Maine), Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), and Maggie Hassan (D-N.H.), would fund the government through January and avoid deep spending cuts. Several Senate Democrats supported the package, calling it necessary to restore stability. However, Jeffries and other progressives say the bill omits vital Democratic goals, particularly the extension of Affordable Care Act (ACA) tax credits set to expire under Democrats\u2019 2022 reconciliation law.<\/p>\n
Republicans have seized on Jeffries\u2019 opposition, accusing Democrats of prolonging the shutdown despite claiming to advocate for unpaid federal workers and military personnel. The shutdown, now the longest in U.S. history, has shuttered several federal agencies, forced thousands into furloughs, and disrupted small businesses. Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) said House Republicans plan to address healthcare costs once the government reopens, noting that pandemic-era ACA subsidies are set to expire at year\u2019s end.<\/p>\n