House minority leader Hakeem Jeffries questioned his views on Senate minority leader Chuck Schumer at a press conference on Friday.
Schumer signalled a significant backlash from Democrats late Thursday, supporting allegations to advance the GOP-backed government fundraising bill to avoid a partial shutdown after midnight on Friday. During the press conference, Jeffries declined to criticize Schumer, but refused to weigh whether the Senate needed “new leadership.” (Related: Fiscal Hawks Warning GOP Expenditure Plans must reject “budget gimmicks.”
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“Has Senator Schumer acquiesced to Trump in your mind?” the first reporter asked.
Jeffries punted the question by saying, “It will be treated best by the Senate.” He said no votes have yet to arise for the bill and repeated his opposition to the bill, pledging support for Social Security, Medicare, veteran benefits and public schools.
“We’ll see what happens in the Senate. There are still senators who have not yet been decided and declared, and we are waiting with concern for that vote,” he added.
The next reporter asked if it was “a time for new leadership in the Senate.”
“Next question,” Jeffries said.
Another reporter sought details about Schumer and Jeffries’ conversation before Senate minority leaders made an announcement Thursday.
“He and I have had repeated and private conversations throughout the week, but those conversations remain personal,” Jeffries said.
Another reporter said 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 side of your home. You can all stay united and the bill is still passing,” she said. “If Democrats continue to unite against this, the government will be shut down. What were you expecting Schumer to do?
“This is not about a single individual, it’s about an American,” Jeffries retorted. “That’s what we think.”
The bill passed by the House on Tuesday will fund the government until the end of September. Radio host Charlamagne Tha God on Friday argued that both Schumer and Jeffreys should “resign” after Senate minority leaders move to support the bill.
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