House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries dodged questions about his view on Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer at a Friday press briefing.
Schumer signaled late Thursday that he would back a motion to advance a GOP-backed government funding bill to avert a partial shutdown after midnight on Friday, prompting significant backlash from Democrats. During the press briefing, Jeffries refrained from criticizing Schumer, but refused to weigh in on whether the Senate needed “new leadership.”
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“Has Senator Schumer, in your mind, acquiesced to Trump?” the first reporter asked.
Jeffries punted the query, saying it would be “best addressed by the Senate.” He noted the vote on the bill has not yet occurred and reiterated his opposition to the bill while vowing support for social security, Medicare, veterans benefits and public schooling.
“We’ll see what happens over in the Senate. There are still undecided and undeclared senators, and we anxiously await that vote,” he added.
The next reporter asked if it is “time for new leadership in the Senate.”
“Next question,” Jeffries said.
Another reporter asked for details about Schumer and Jeffries’ conversation before the Senate minority leader made his Thursday announcement.
“He and I have had repeated and private conversations throughout the week and those conversations will remain private,” Jeffries said.
Another reporter noted the difference between passing the bill in the House and the Senate.
“On the Senate side, they have a much more difficult path than you do on the House side. You guys could all remain united and the bill would still pass,” she said. “If Democrats stay united against this, the government will shut down. What would you have expected Schumer to do?
“This is not about one individual, this is about the American people,” Jeffries retorted. “That’s our view.”
The bill, which the House passed Tuesday, would fund the government through the end of September. Radio host Charlamagne Tha God argued Friday that both Schumer and Jeffries should “step down” after the Senate minority leader’s move to support the bill.
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