Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Bob Latta (R-Bowling Green Ohio)
Latta Has Pay Withheld During Government Shutdown
Washington, October 1, 2025
Today, Congressman Bob Latta (OH-5) released the following statement announcing that he has contacted the Office of Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) to have his pay withheld for the full length of the government shutdown.
In addition, Latta has cosponsored a proposed Constitutional Amendment, H.J.Res.128, introduced by Rep. Ralph Norman (SC-5), that would prevent Members of Congress from receiving pay during a government shutdown.
“Government shutdowns are costly and unproductive, and Members of Congress should not be collecting paychecks while other federal workers go without. That’s why I have directed CAO to withhold my paycheck. However, I believe that withholding pay for Members of Congress should not be a voluntary action, rather the standard should be that all Representatives and Senators automatically forgo pay whenever the government is shut down. I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting a constitutional amendment to prevent Members of Congress from receiving pay during a government shutdown.
“Congress must work together to find a solution so the government can reopen, and we can fulfill our responsibilities to the American people.”
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Morgan Griffith (R-VA)
U.S. Congressman Morgan Griffith (R-VA), Chairman of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Health, made several speaking engagements in September to discuss his priorities for the Health Subcommittee.
The Healthcare Leadership Council held their September membership meeting on Capitol Hill. Many members learned of Chairman Griffith’s goals to reform federal health agencies, such as the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). In the 119th Congress, Chairman Griffith has introduced multiple federal health agency reform measures, including: the NIH Reform Act, the Risky Research Review Act and the Royalty Transparency Act.
The US Oncology Network convened in Washington, D.C., for their annual fly-in. Chairman Griffith visited their breakfast event and spoke with several members. The Network thanked Chairman Griffith for advancing H.R. 2484, the Seniors’ Access to Critical Medications Act, a bill that will help increase patient access to prescription drugs. Blue Ridge Cancer Care, which provides care in Virginia’s Ninth District, was represented at the Network event.
Chairman Griffith also delivered remarks at the Ripon Society. On top of discussions surrounding the Health Subcommittee, he spoke to the group in the wake of the assassination of Charlie Kirk.
Source: {United States House of Representatives – Congressman Bobby Scott (3rd District of Virginia)
Headline: Scott Statement on GOP Government Shutdown
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Bobby Scott (VA-03) issued the following statement after the federal government entered a shutdown:
“Republicans control the White House, the Senate, and the House of Representatives. Congressional Democrats are in Washington ready to negotiate to keep the government open, while protecting the health care of the American people. House Republicans, regrettably, cancelled votes for this week and last week, and sent their members home.
“Congressional Republicans have supported a seven-week continuing resolution in order to negotiate. However, they have been aware of the September 30th funding deadline since March, yet have refused to engage in any negotiations thus far – not in the last seven days or in the last two days. So, it is difficult to see how this is anything other than another simple delay. And President Trump, instead of working to find a solution, posted a racist, AI-generated video yesterday mocking Democratic leaders, and threatened to fire massive numbers of federal workers. He failed to say how these firings would be different from what his administration has been doing for months; nor did he say he would not fire additional employees if the government stayed open.
“Democrats want to negotiate a spending deal that protects the health care of Americans who are now at risk due to President Trump’s Big Ugly Law. These impacts are real. Rural health facilities are already closing, including several in Virginia. And millions of Americans will see increased health care costs because of the relentless Republican attacks on the Affordable Care Act. If Republicans are serious about governing, keeping the government open and helping working families, they should return to Washington immediately and engage in serious bipartisan negotiations.”
Congressman Scott’s Washington and Newport News offices will remain open during the shutdown and his staff will be available to assist constituents.
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Donald Norcross (1st District of New Jersey)
WASHINGTON, DC —Today, Representatives Donald Norcross (D-NJ) and Pete Stauber (R-MN) announced the introduction of the Faster Labor Contracts Act, which would speed up the process of the first collective bargaining agreement between a newly unionized group of workers and their employer. You can watch the full press conference here.
“The right of workers to form a union and collectively bargain is crucial to improving wages, hours, working conditions, and so much more. I know because I’ve lived it,” said Congressman Donald Norcross, Co-Founder and Co-Chair of the Congressional Labor Caucus. “Right now, employers can delay negotiations on first contracts for years. This hurts workers who, despite exercising their right to bargain collectively, are prevented from doing so by employers who enjoy the benefits of the status quo. The Faster Labor Contracts Act will force employers to act in good faith and come to the negotiating table quickly.”
“America’s workers are the backbone of our economy, yet far too often, they are met with silence or stalling tactics when negotiating their first union contract,” said Congressman Pete Stauber. “As a former police officer who organized a union, I’ve seen firsthand how unfair and frustrating this process can be for some. That’s why I am proud to partner with Representative Norcross to hold employers accountable and ensure workers have a real voice at the negotiating table, because when our workers succeed, our entire nation succeeds.”
“Greedy corporations will do everything they can to deny workers a fair first contract and the wages and benefits they’ve earned,” said International Brotherhood of Teamsters General President Sean M. O’Brien. “The Faster Labor Contracts Act is much-needed legislation that will expedite the process and hold employers accountable when they drag out negotiations. The Teamsters commend Representatives Norcross and Stauber for introducing a bill that will help newly organized workers secure the fair first contract they deserve.”
“Workers who exercise their right to join a union should have assurances that they will reap the benefits of having a representative in the workplace,” said Policy Advisor for American Compass, Daniel Kishi. “Although federal labor law obligates unions and employers to negotiate, it does not require them to agree to a collective bargaining agreement—a disconnect that permits employers to avoid reaching a contract that improves the wages and working conditions of their employees. This legislation would address this disconnect, incentivizing unions and employers to negotiate in good faith.
“Entertainment workers know that time is of the essence when it comes to securing fair contracts. Whether it’s film, television, live events, or trade shows, our members move from job to job, and delays in bargaining can mean missing out on the industry standards and protections we fight for,” said International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE) President Matthew D. Loeb. “IATSE commends Reps. Norcross, Stauber, and a bipartisan group of two-dozen House members for introducing the Faster Labor Contracts Act. We welcome this legislation that recognizes the urgent need to level the playing field for workers negotiating a first contract.”
“The Faster Labor Contracts Act establishes a critical framework requiring employers to begin negotiations within one week of a successful union election,” said International Association of Bridge, Structural, Ornamental and Reinforcing Iron Workers President Eric Dean. “This provision is essential to protecting workers’ rights and ensuring they receive the fair and equitable treatment they deserve. Had this policy been in place a year ago, more than 1,000 more workers would be protected under an Iron Workers’ union contract today. We firmly believe that timely negotiations lead to better working conditions, fair wages, and greater job security for our members and all workers nationwide.”
“When workers vote to form a union, they shouldn’t have to wait months or years to get a fair contract while employers stall,” said International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) President Kenneth W. Cooper. “The Faster Labor Contracts Act puts power back in the hands of working people by setting clear deadlines for bargaining, mediation, and binding arbitration. IBEW’s 860,000 members know a union contract means better wages, safer working conditions, and a voice on the job. It’s time for Congress to stand with workers and pass this bill.”
“Legislators on both sides of the aisle have long recognized the need to address the unnecessary and unproductive delays frequently experienced by employees who choose to be represented by a union in getting to their first contract,” saidInternational Organization of Masters, Mates & Pilots (MM&P) President Captain Don Josberger. “MM&P is grateful that Representatives Norcross and Stauber and their colleagues are seeking to fix this problem in a bipartisan way, and we fully support it.”
“Contract delay tactics are a way for greedy corporations to deny workers a life-changing contract. This new bill would prevent employers from using an anti-worker tactic that allows them to refuse bargaining in good faith,” said Transport Workers Union (TWU) International President John Samuelsen. “It is also important to note that politicians from both major political parties are introducing this bill. There is real bipartisan support for advancing the livelihoods of American workers and their families and a recognition that corporations have too often refused to engage in good faith bargaining.”
“When workers stand with each other to join a union, they are exercising their fundamental right to fight for better wages, safer workplaces, and a real voice on the job. But far too often, we see companies exploit loopholes to delay getting to a first contract, dragging out negotiations and trying to break the workers’ spirits. REI, for example, has committed numerous labor violations in an attempt to prolong this process despite workers making the decision to join the union years ago,” saidUnited Food and Commercial Workers International Union (UFCW) President Milton Jones. “The Faster Labor Contracts Act is a critical bipartisan step toward holding employers accountable and ensuring that the promise of a union contract becomes a reality, not just a possibility. The UFCW is proud to endorse this legislation on behalf of REI Union members and workers everywhere.”
“Too often, delay tactics allow employers to wear down organizing momentum. That’s unacceptable,” saidUnited Mine Workers of America (UMWA) International President Cecil E. Roberts. “Workers deserve timely bargaining, fair wages, and working conditions they can actually count on. I thank Representatives Norcross and Stauber for their leadership in bringing forward this commonsense, bipartisan reform, one that strengthens the process of collective bargaining and honors workers’ rights.”
“The benefits of a union contract are widespread and well-documented, from helping to secure fair wages and working conditions to providing workers a much-needed voice on the job. Yet too many aspects of our current labor laws are broken and tilted in favor of greedy corporations,” saidUnited Steelworkers (USW) International President David McCall. “For example, it currently takes workers, on average, nearly 500 days to secure a first contract after they organize their union because employers draw out the process. The USW applauds Reps. Norcross and Stauber for their bipartisan Faster Labor Contracts Act that would help remedy this imbalance and ensure workers can bargain fair agreements in a timely way.”
“The Faster Labor Contracts Act is a common-sense solution to ensure workers who vote to form a union can secure a first contract without delay,” said Laborers’ International Union of North America (LIUNA) General President Brent Booker. “Too often, employers stall for over a year to weaken workers’ resolve and deny them the rights they’ve already won. This bill would require timely negotiations so workers can lock in fair wages, safe jobsites, and secure retirements.”
According to Bloomberg Law, it takes an average of 458 days for unions and employers to agree on a first contract. This bipartisan legislation will ensure that when workers vote to form a union, employers are not allowed to drag out negotiations on first contracts.
The Faster Labor Contracts Act would amend Section 8(d) of the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA), to require that:
After workers have voted to form a union, employers must begin negotiating with the new union within 10 days.
If no agreement is reached after 90 days, the dispute will be referred to mediation.
If mediation fails after 30 days, or additional periods agreed upon by both parties, the dispute will be referred to a binding 3-person arbitration panel to secure an initial contract.
The Government Accountability Office commission a report on average workplace time-to-contract one year after enactment.
Senators Josh Hawley (R-MO) and Cory Booker (D-NJ) introduced this bill in the Senate.
Congressmen Donald Norcross (D-NJ-01) and Pete Stauber (R-MN-08) were joined by the following members in introducing the legislation: Representatives Chris Deluzio (D-PA-17), Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA-01), Nikki Budzinski (D-IL-13), Nicole Malliotakis (R-NY-11), Tim Kennedy (D-NY-26), Don Bacon (R-NE-02), Josh Riley (D-NY-19), Mike Lawler (R-NY-17), Angie Craig (D-MN-02), Michael Rulli (R-OH-06), Jared Golden (D-ME-02), Nick LaLota (R-NY-01), Emily Randall (D-WA-06), Jeff Van Drew (R-NJ-02), Rick Larsen (D-WA-02), Chris Smith (R-NJ-04), Mary Gay Scanlon (D-PA-05), Rob Bresnahan (R-PA-08), Seth Magaziner (D-RI-02), Riley Moore (R-WV-02), Morgan McGarvey (D-KY-03), Andrew Garbarino (R-NY-02), Haley Stevens (D-MI-11), and Stephen Lynch (D-MA-08).
This bill is endorsed by the International Brotherhood of Teamsters; Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU); American Compass; Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Employes Division-International Brotherhood of Teamsters; International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE); International Association of Bridge, Structural, Ornamental and Reinforcing Iron Workers (IW); International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF); International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW); International Organization of Masters, Mates & Pilots; International Union of Bricklayers and Allied Craftworkers; International Union of Operating Engineers; International Union of Painters and Allied Trades (IUPAT); International Union, United Automobile, Aerospace and Agricultural Implement Workers of America (UAW); Laborers’ International Union of North America (LiUNA); Marine Engineers’ Beneficial Association (M.E.B.A.); National Employment Law Project; Transport Workers Union (TWU); Transportation Communications Union (TCU/IAM); United Association of Journeymen and Apprentices of the Plumbing and Pipe Fitting Industry of the United States and Canada (UA); United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America (UBC); United Food and Commercial Workers International Union (UFCW); United Mine Workers of America (UMWA); United Steelworkers (USW); Utility Workers Union of America
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Donald Norcross (1st District of New Jersey)
WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Congressman Donald Norcross (NJ-01) announced that a $474,314 grant from the National Science Foundation will be awarded to Camden Community College. The funds will be used to create a new electric and hybrid vehicle technician training program.
“This investment will train the next generation of auto technicians in South Jersey to service electric vehicles and create good paying jobs in our community,” said Congressman Donald Norcross, a graduate of Camden County College, “With New Jersey roads expected to see more than two million electric vehicles by 2035, Camden County College will lead the way in making sure our students are ready to work on the technology of the future.”
“I thank Congressman Norcross for his support of Camden County College, and for championing educational opportunities that lead to rewarding careers,” said Dr. Lovell Pugh-Bassett, President of Camden County College. “This grant will equip our automotive technology students with the specialized training to safely service all aspects of new model EVs. These high-demand skills will set our graduates apart, making them workforce ready and positioning them to excel in the rapidly evolving automotive industry.”
Camden County College has long been a hub of higher education in South Jersey, and this funding will strengthen opportunities for students by creating a specialized curriculum focused on hybrid and electric vehicles. It will provide state-of-the-art instruction and nationally recognized credentials, while also offering training for local workers and professional development for educators. Programs like these ensure South Jersey is prepared to meet the demands of a clean energy economy.
This award comes through National Science Foundation’s Advanced Technological Education (ATE) program, which supports technician training in high-demand technology fields that drive America’s economy focusing on two-year Institutions of Higher Education.
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Hakeem Jeffries (8th District of New York)
Today, House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries appeared on MSNBC’s The Briefing with Jen Psaki and CNN’s NewsNight with Abby Phillip to emphasize that Democrats are fighting to protect the healthcare of the American people in the face of a reckless Republican government shutdown.
LEADER JEFFRIES ON MSNBC’S THE BRIEFING WITH JEN PSAKI:
JEN PSAKI: It’s great to see you, Leader Jeffries. You’ve had quite a 48 hours, I will say. We are less than three hours away from this shutdown. And I just want to start by asking you, I mean, you said today we’re in this fight until we win. I think a lot of people are happy to hear that. Tell us more about what that looks like. How does this end for people?
LEADER JEFFRIES: Well, we’re here in the Capitol. And as Leader Schumer has said, as I’ve repeatedly said, as House Democrats continue to say, you know, we are ready, we’re willing, we’re able to sit down with anyone, any time, any place to arrive at a bipartisan spending agreement that actually meets the needs of the American people, avoids a shutdown and keeps the government open. But at the same period of time, what we also have made clear is that we’re not going to support a partisan Republican spending bill that continues to gut the healthcare of the American people in the midst of a Republican healthcare crisis that is devastating to people all across the country. Republicans, as you pointed out, control the House, the Senate and the presidency. They have the ability to fund the government, but to the extent that they’re interested in Democratic support, then, of course, we want to make sure, as part of a bipartisan process, that we are looking out for the American people in rural America, in urban America, in small town America, in the heartland of America and in Black and brown communities all across America, collectively, all of whom have been devastated in different ways by the ongoing Republican assault on healthcare.
JEN PSAKI: I just played a clip, and I think everybody watching knows you and Leader Schumer went to the White House yesterday. I played a clip of that, but I want to play something that Trump said today, because I think it’s important to show people how difficult this is. So let’s just play that. We’ll talk about it afterwards.
VIDEO OF PRESIDENT TRUMP: A lot of good can come down from shutdowns. We can get rid of a lot of things that we didn’t want, and they’d be Democrat things.
JEN PSAKI: I mean, I suppose he sometimes says the quiet part out loud, but he seemed to say—he says there, ‘A lot of good things can come from shutdowns.’ What do you think he means by that, and what are you preparing for him to do during this shutdown?
LEADER JEFFRIES: Well, it’s such a shocking statement that he would make because he’s the President of the United States of America, and we shouldn’t look at the consequences of a shutdown as impacting Democrats or impacting Republicans. It impacts Americans. Food safety, of course, will be impacted. Airline and aviation safety impacted. That affects everyone. And millions of older Americans who have come to rely on telemedicine won’t have the ability to access that level of medical care. That impacts everyone. And this is on top of the consequences of the One Big Ugly Bill, which included the largest assault, the largest cut to Medicaid in American history, and in this bill, they stole food from the mouths of hungry children, families, seniors and veterans, Democrats and Republicans alike. And all of that was done so they could reward their billionaire donors with massive tax breaks. And they basically want to continue this scheme, but they want to do it with Democratic support. And that, of course, is a bridge way too far. That’s not going to happen. So we’re urging reasonable Republicans to come to the table. I’ll be at the Capitol all night. Let’s have a conversation about finding a common-sense path forward to meet the needs of all Americans, as opposed to continuing to devastate everyday Americans.
JEN PSAKI: So it seems that, I mean, part of the challenge here for you—or you tell me—seems to be Trump is controlling a huge swath of the caucus, including the Speaker of the House, who seems to do whatever he wants. You’re saying, ‘Hey, Republicans, come meet with me. I’m happy to talk to you about a path forward here.’ You said you want a bipartisan deal. Is Trump—do you go meet with him if he wants to meet again? Or what does it look like tomorrow? How do you move forward?
LEADER JEFFRIES: Well, in the White House meeting yesterday, I certainly made clear, and so did Leader Schumer, that we demanded the meeting with Donald Trump because, at the end of the day, Republicans no longer function in the Congress as a separate and coequal branch of government. And the reality is, when Donald Trump says jump, the Republicans say how high. And they’ve served as nothing more than a reckless rubber stamp for Donald Trump’s extreme agenda throughout the year. So the reality is Donald Trump’s gonna shut the government down. Republicans are going to acquiesce to that, which is why House Republicans aren’t even in town, if you can believe it. House Democrats are here on duty. Republicans remain on vacation. And so this is gonna have to come down to, eventually, the Trump administration recognizing that their own shutdown is going to be a consequence that will hurt them with the American people, who are smart enough to know it’s being caused by Donald Trump and the Republicans, come to the table so we can work something out that also includes protecting the healthcare of the American people.
JEN PSAKI: Do you think Trump even wants the government to reopen?
LEADER JEFFRIES: Well, that remains to be seen. We’ll certainly begin to find that out after midnight. We also know that since January 20, Donald Trump has been waging war against the federal government, against hardworking federal employees and civil servants and decimating parts of the government, which impacts the ability to provide necessary services to everyday Americans. And that’s been happening over the last several months pretty much from the beginning of his administration, which is why I think many people have reasonably come to believe that from the very beginning of this process, Donald Trump and Republicans have been determined to try to shut the government down. But the American people are going to rise up and not tolerate it. This has happened in the past. We know that during the 14-day government shutdown that was caused by Republicans in October of 2013, eventually their will broke because the American people said enough. And when Donald Trump was in office in 2018 into 2019, that was the longest government shutdown in American history, 35 days. And eventually, the Republicans engaged in an unconditional surrender because they could not sustain the pressure from the American people. It’s my expectation that if we find ourselves in a shutdown, the same exact thing will happen again.
JEN PSAKI: We’ve been through—there’s been, you’ve been through, I’ve been through a lot of shutdowns and negotiations. Often they’re on the level, as my mother would say. This does not appear to be in part because Trump is continuing to post racist and bizarre AI videos. There was one of you and Leader Schumer last night. I’m not gonna play that. But just in the last hour, he posted another one of you. Today, you said, which is a pretty strong comeback, ‘The next time you have something to say about me, don’t cop out through a racist and fake AI video. When I’m back in the Oval Office, say it to my face.’ It’s the pushing back that I think is very powerful in this moment. I got to ask, I mean, when you’re back in the Oval Office—you may be—what are you going to say to his face about all this?
LEADER JEFFRIES: Well, I’m certainly gonna make it clear that we need from the President of the United States an individual who actually is focused on doing his job, as opposed to engaging in racist or bigoted stereotypes designed to try to distract or throw us off as Democrats from what we need to do on behalf of the American people. And it ain’t gonna happen. And we’re not gonna be intimidated by this guy or by the Republicans who currently are divorced from the reality of the situation that, as Democrats, we don’t work for Donald Trump. We don’t work for Vice President Vance. We don’t work for their billionaire donors. We work for the American people. That’s why we’ve drawn this line in the sand. And our view will continue to be cancel the cuts, lower the cost, save healthcare.
JEN PSAKI: Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries, we’ll just repeat before I let you go. This is about Republicans being unwilling to fund subsidies that help millions of people stay in healthcare. That is what the holdup is. I appreciate you joining me tonight. Thank you so much.
LEADER JEFFRIES: Thank you.
***
LEADER JEFFRIES ON CNN’S NEWSNIGHT WITH ABBY PHILLIP:
ABBY PHILLIP: We’ll get to our debate in just a moment. But first, joining me now is House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries. Leader Jeffries, thank you very much for being here. I just wanna get your response to that video, which the White House has been putting out and played in the briefing room today. Are Democrats being hypocritical here now on the verge of a shutdown?
LEADER JEFFRIES: Not at all. Republicans control the House, the Senate and the presidency. And we’ve indicated that we will sit down with anyone, any time, any place, to try to find a path forward in terms of reaching a bipartisan spending agreement that avoids a government shutdown, meets the needs of the American people and deals with the painful Republican healthcare crisis that is devastating people all across America. Republicans have basically demonstrated zero interest in trying to work out any differences from a policy perspective that we may have, because at the end of the day, they want to shut the government down as they’ve done repeatedly over the last several decades.
ABBY PHILLIP: Well, let me ask you about that, because House Speaker Mike Johnson, your colleague on the other side of the aisle, he just spoke with Kaitlan Collins, and he says that really what they’re asking for is time. Listen.
VIDEO OF SPEAKER JOHNSON: Chuck Schumer has made the decision unilaterally—he’s the leader of the Democrats in the Senate—to keep the government shut down for his own personal reasons. It is extremely selfish. We didn’t put partisan provisions in the CR. We could have. I could have loaded that up with all of our partisan policy preferences, but I didn’t, because we’re operating in good faith. The reason we need, again, just the short-term extension to November 21, is to allow the appropriators to do their job. They need more time to do it, in a bipartisan fashion, by the way. They agreed—Republicans and Democrats agreed November 21 would be the appropriate day to extend it. That’s all we’re asking for is time.
ABBY PHILLIP: So I want to get your reaction to that, but also, I mean, from your perspective, have you heard any concrete assurances from Speaker Johnson that your policy concerns might be addressed if they are given more time?
LEADER JEFFRIES: Not at all. And what we’ve seen with respect to Republicans over the last 15 years is a consistent effort to try to blow up the Affordable Care Act and hurt millions of Americans who rely upon that enlightened piece of legislation in order to provide healthcare for themselves and for their families. Over the next few days, more than 20 million Americans are gonna experience notices that will indicate that their premiums, co-pays and deductibles are about to skyrocket, in some instances, by thousands of dollars a year. People are gonna face medical bankruptcy. People will be unable to provide healthcare for themselves and for their families. And all of this is on top of the fact that Republicans passed their One Big Ugly Bill, which is now law, including the largest cut to Medicaid in American history, hospitals, nursing homes and community-based health clinics all across America are closing, and they’re triggering a possible $536 billion cut to Medicare at the end of the year because of that One Big Ugly Bill, if Congress does not act.
ABBY PHILLIP: So, what is—
LEADER JEFFRIES: This is an extraordinary assault on the healthcare of the American people—
ABBY PHILLIP: What is the exit strategy here, though?
LEADER JEFFRIES: —and we’re simply saying this has to be dealt with and dealt with now.
ABBY PHILLIP: Yeah, but what is the exit strategy here from a shutdown? Because once the government is shut down, which it will be in two hours, how do you get out of this? There’s one Democrat who told CNN there is no way to play this shutdown game and win, and Democrats know that because Republicans for the last several shutdowns have been the ones playing this game. So, how are you gonna get out of it if we are in a shutdown?
LEADER JEFFRIES: Again, correct me if I’m wrong in terms of the Republican perspective, but Republicans have been lecturing America all year that they control the government and that they’re jamming their policy preferences down the throats of the American people. So how is it the case that at this particular moment in time, they’re suddenly at the mercy of Democrats who are in the minority in the House or in the Senate when Donald Trump has consistently behaving like he’s all-powerful, including in the things that he continues to try to do today with respect to the US military. All we’re saying is that we need to have a conversation in good faith that’s authentic, sitting down with legislative leaders on the other side of the aisle in the White House to both fund the government in a way that meets the needs of the American people, but at the same time, doesn’t continue this effort by Republicans to gut the healthcare of everyday Americans, particularly given the fact that the Affordable Care Act tax credits, which benefit millions of working-class Americans, are about to expire, and Republicans have shown no interest in dealing with that critically important issue.
ABBY PHILLIP: Are you worried that a shutdown could supercharge Trump’s efforts to gut the federal government even further, and then, on top of that, stack the federal government with Trump’s people to pursue whatever partisan agenda that they might have? I mean, is there a risk that this could all backfire?
LEADER JEFFRIES: Donald Trump has been gutting the federal government since January 20 in ways that are only going to be restrained by the courts, and there’s nothing that he can do in this particular instance that would be consistent with the law. And he will be held back by the courts at the appropriate time if he takes this aggressive action, which violates the law. But more importantly, public sentiment is going to be what ultimately leads the Republicans to get back to the negotiating table. We saw that during the shutdown in 2013, 14-day government shutdown, and eventually the Republicans concluded that public sentiment was not with them, and they engaged in an unconditional surrender. And during the shutdown in 2018 into 2019, when Donald Trump was the President and it began in the same way, Republicans controlled the House and the Senate. It lasted for 35 days. At the end of that process, the longest government shutdown in American history, the Republicans realized they couldn’t sustain their position any longer, they engaged in an unconditional surrender and the government was opened back up. Hopefully, this time around, it will only be a matter of hours or days.
ABBY PHILLIP: Yeah, I think that the difference—the difference though, Leader Jeffries, between those incidents and this one is that Democrats in those times were the ones saying, ‘Let’s just fund the government. Let’s not negotiate in this moment.’ Now the shoe is on the other foot. You acknowledge that, right?
LEADER JEFFRIES: No, actually, we’re saying, ‘Let’s fund the government. Let’s sit down and have a conversation.’ Republicans have adopted a my-way-or-the-highway approach. They basically have said take it or leave it with respect to our partisan Republican spending bill that continues cuts that were first put into place in March of this year that hurt veterans, hurt children and families, hurt child care, hurt housing affordability and hurt the healthcare of the American people. And they’re suggesting now that continuing that funding level is something that we should just accept and allow it to be jammed down the throats of the American people.
ABBY PHILLIP: Let’s talk about—
LEADER JEFFRIES: —when we voted against it in March, because it hurt the American people.
ABBY PHILLIP: Let’s talk about, though, who you’re negotiating with because I think this is super important. I mean, you want to get to the table with the Republicans and perhaps the President, but I’m sure—you may have seen this. I mean, President Trump just moments ago posted pictures from your meeting in the Oval Office, where he, I guess, apparently tried to hand you Trump 2028 hats. Then he posted another video, an AI video of you in a sombrero once again. This time, he’s in the background—you see, the audience can see it there—as a mariachi band. I mean, I think the question I have for you is, do you think that this is even a White House, a President that cares to negotiate in good faith at all? Because it sounds like this meeting that you had this week has only resulted in trolling and not in any serious conversations.
LEADER JEFFRIES: Well, that’s exactly the point. He’s an unserious individual. The Republicans are unserious at this point. They have no interest in having a good-faith conversation. And all of the behavior, erratic, unhinged behavior that we’ve seen subsequent to that White House meeting should suggest to the American people who actually is trying to drive us toward a government shutdown. We continue to say we’re willing to have a bipartisan discussion to arrive at a spending agreement that meets the needs of the American people in terms of their health, public safety and economic well-being, particularly as it relates to driving down the high cost of living, not allowing millions of Americans to experience dramatically increased healthcare premiums, co-pays and deductibles. That’s a reasonable position in defense of the quality of life of the American people. We just don’t have serious negotiating partners right now on the other side of the aisle because they’re engaging in this erratic behavior, posting racist, fake AI videos. And it speaks for itself in terms of the American people concluding who’s serious and who’s deadly unserious.
ABBY PHILLIP: When he tried to hand you that Trump 2028 hat, what was your reaction?
LEADER JEFFRIES: Well, actually, he did not try to hand Leader Schumer and I the Trump 2028 hat. They just randomly appeared in the middle of the meeting on the desk. It was the strangest thing ever. And I just looked at the hat, looked at JD Vance, who was seated to my left, and said, ‘Don’t you got a problem with this?’ And he said, ‘No comment.’ And that was the end of it.
ABBY PHILLIP: All right, Leader Jeffries, thank you very much for joining us.
Full MSNBC interview can be watched here and full CNN interview can be watched here.
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Hakeem Jeffries (8th District of New York)
Today, House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries spoke at the Healthcare over Billionaires Rally at the Capitol where he made clear that House Democrats will continue to stand up on behalf of the health, safety and well-being of the American people and fight back against the extreme MAGA Republican assault on healthcare.
LEADER JEFFRIES: Are you here to fight for the healthcare of the American people? Are you here to win?
What an honor and a privilege to be here with all of you. House Democrats are here in the Capitol reporting for duty. Republicans are on vacation. We’re here because we understand this is an important fight, an important fight to win. We’re prepared at all times to try to find a bipartisan path forward to fund the government, but it has to be funded in a manner consistent with our values and in a manner that lifts up the quality of life of the American people, that doesn’t hurt everyday Americans. So our position has been clear. We will not support a partisan Republican spending bill that continues to gut the healthcare of the American people. Not now, not ever.
Now, yesterday, Chuck Schumer and I met in the Oval Office with the President and Republican leadership. In that meeting, it was extraordinary, some of the Republican leaders said healthcare is extraneous. We said, no, healthcare is not extraneous. Healthcare is central to the quality of life of the American people, and that’s why we’re fighting. Now, after that meeting, Donald Trump posted this AI video featuring myself and Chuck Schumer. It was a fake video. It was a disgusting video. It was a racist video. It was unbecoming of anyone purporting to be the President of the United States of America. But y’all, I ain’t scared. I’m from Brooklyn. We get down like Shirley Chisholm, unbought and unbossed at all times.
So, Mr. President, allow me to reintroduce myself. I’m the House Democratic Leader. The House Democratic Caucus is 217 Members strong. We’re part of a separate and co-equal branch of government. That means we don’t work for Donald Trump. We don’t work for JD Vance. We don’t work for billionaire donors. We work for all of you, the American people.
And that’s why we’re here together. House Democrats, Senate Democrats, standing together with all of you. Your values are our values, and our values are your values. And together, we’re fighting to cancel the cuts, lower the cost and save healthcare. We’re fighting together for your Medicaid. Are we fighting for your Medicaid? We’re fighting together for your Medicaid. We’re fighting together for the Affordable Care Act. We’re fighting to protect your hospitals. We are fighting to protect our nursing homes. We’re fighting to protect our community-based health clinics. And we’re fighting for the principle that in America, the wealthiest country in the history of the world, healthcare can’t simply be a privilege for the wealthy, the well-off and the well-connected. We’re fighting for the principle that in this country, healthcare must be a right available to every single American at all times.
At all times. At all times. And so, this fight won’t be easy, but I trust the resiliency of the American people, the heart, the soul, the spirit and the strength of the American people. We stand on the shoulders of so many giants, many who we’ve served with, like the great John Lewis, who would always tell us in times of challenge, stand up, show up, speak up for what we know is right. And go out there and get into necessary trouble, and good trouble. I said good trouble. I said good trouble.
Are you ready for us to hold the line? Are you ready for us to stand strong? Are you ready for us to win this fight? Save your healthcare? Lower costs? Make sure we protect the things that matter for you and your families? Are you ready for us to put families and healthcare over billionaires? Well, I’m here to tell you, we’re in this fight until we win this fight. God bless each and every one of you.
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Jimmy Gomez (CA-34)
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Rep. Jimmy Gomez (CA-34) issued the following statement after Republicans forced a government shutdown:
“This shutdown didn’t have to happen. Democrats came to the table ready to keep the government open and protect critical programs families depend on, but Republicans are no where to be found. Instead of working with us, they have chosen to cut the healthcare of millions of working Americans, all to appease Donald Trump.
“In my district alone, tens of thousands of people rely on ACA premium tax credits to afford their insurance and access care. Gutting those programs isn’t just a political fight in Washington, it will impact real families, real neighbors, and put real lives at risk.
“Democrats will fight to continue funding for these programs, reopen the government, and make sure working families aren’t forced to pay the price for Republican callousness. Our priority is simple: protect healthcare, protect families, and protect our economy.”
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley (MA-07)
WASHINGTON – Today, Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley (MA-07) issued the following statement after Republicans chose to shut down the government rather than do their job and work with Democrats to protect families and save healthcare for millions. Earlier this evening, Rep. Pressley rallied with advocates, colleagues, and impacted folks to demand Republicans protect healthcare and keep the government open.
“This Republican-manufactured shutdown is threatening the lives and livelihoods of millions of families by ripping away essential healthcare, gutting federal jobs, and cutting the critical services that are a lifeline for our communities,” said Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley. “Donald Trump and his Republican co-conspirators continue to demonstrate contempt for the people and advance harmful policies that make people hungrier, poorer, sicker, and less safe. As duly elected Members of Congress, it is not only our duty, but our obligation, to make life better for the people we serve. Instead, Republicans have shamefully pushed the country into a dangerous government shutdown, and our constituents deserve better. I refuse to accept this future as an inevitability, and I will continue to fight to reopen the government, keep essential services running, mitigate the Republican-caused healthcare crisis, and center the dignity, humanity, and safety of folks in the Massachusetts 7th and across the country.”
Earlier today, Congresswoman Pressley stood in solidarity with workers and families who would be impacted by the government shutdown. Rep. Pressley also joined an all-day livestream with House Democrats to hold the line against Trump and Republicans’ efforts to rip away healthcare from millions of Americans.
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley (MA-07)
Republicans are Threatening to Shut Down the Government at Midnight, Exacerbate Republican Health Care Crisis
“I’m not going quietly into the night while Republicans make our families poor, sicker, hunger and more vulnerable, all in the name of so called ‘efficiency.’ … I see you. I’m fighting for you, and I will not give up.”
WASHINGTON – Tonight, hours before the government funding deadline, Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley (MA-07) joined Fair Share America, colleagues, and impacted families at a rally to demand Republicans protect healthcare and keep the government open. The rally comes as Republicans threaten to shut down the government and lay off workers rather than passing a budget and coming to work with Democrats to protect families from health insurance hikes and devastating healthcare cuts.
Earlier today, Congresswoman Pressley stood in solidarity with workers and families who would be impacted by the government shutdown.
Without action by Donald Trump and Congress, many of the Affordable Care Act tax credits that help lower the cost of premiums will expire soon and tens of thousands of people in the Massachusetts 7th will see huge premium increases. In the Massachusetts 7th Congressional District:
29,000 people will see their health care costs rise if Republicans let these critical tax credits expire; and
35,512 people will lose health coverage because of Republican cuts to MassHealth in the Big Ugly Law and their plot to gut the Affordable Care Act.
A full transcript of the Congresswoman’s remarks is available below, and the full video is available here.
Transcript: Ahead of Shutdown, Pressley Rallies with Advocates, Demands GOP Protect Healthcare & Keep Government Open U.S. Capitol September 30, 2025 All right, thank you all for your patience.
You know, I just keep revisiting King’s words, “Where do we go from here? Chaos or Community?” And this is certainly a moment of chaos, of cruelty, of corruption, but yes, of community.
And so thank you for your patience while I leaned into that for a moment.
You know, it’s incredible to be here with all of you. And I would say, you know, in the midst of a fight to free DC and a military occupation, the fact that we’re here is, in and of itself, a radical act.
So thank you. Thank you for being here tonight.
And although I don’t know you all personally, I know why you’re here.
You’re here because you give a damn. You’re here because you give a damn about your neighbor, your fellow worker, and every single person who calls this country home.
I know we keep talking about the impacts of this policy violence on our most vulnerable. But the truth of the matter is, in this moment, we’re all vulnerable. This harm is coming for everyone.
The moment we find ourselves in is a difficult one. I know my shoulders feel weighted and my heart feels heavy as we stare down this manufactured Republican shutdown. But solidarity is a powerful thing, and each one of you gives me hope.
We are now hours away from Republicans shutting the government down.
I want to talk about what that really means, not in headlines or the most palatable talking points, but what that means for people’s lives, for people’s livelihoods.
When I was first running for office, actually to the city council, many years ago, I often said that I wanted to be a voice for the voiceless, but I quickly learned that that’s not actually my role.
The truth of the matter is that there’s no such thing as being voiceless. Everyone has a voice, but not every voice is heard, and so what I want to do in this moment is amplify the voices, the voices of our loved ones, of our neighbors, of our co-workers, the voices of the people that I was sent here to represent in the Massachusetts 7th Congressional District.
Of people like a cafeteria worker who works in this very building who was sent home tonight without any hours on their schedule, unclear when and if their next paycheck is coming.
The voices of folks on a fixed income worried about essential benefits, the voices of families struggling to afford their health care, already facing the threat of losing coverage.
Donald Trump is as clueless as he is cruel. He doesn’t know what it’s like to be a parent sitting in the parking lot of an emergency room waiting to see if their child’s fever is too severe to manage.
Donald Trump doesn’t know what it’s like to scramble to get the formula that your baby needs.
Donald Trump doesn’t know or care about this country beyond his own nose.
But you, people of good faith, gathered here tonight because you give a damn.
Every day the cruelty of this Republican majority reinforces for me that there is no deficit of resource, but there is a deficit of empathy.
In my district, the Massachusetts 7th, 29,000 people will have to pay more for health care. Over 35,000 people will lose their coverage entirely.
These are not just abstract numbers.
This is the grandmother in Dorchester who is already skipping meals to pay for her prescriptions.
This is the young mom in Chelsea who told me she doesn’t know how she’ll afford her child’s asthma inhaler if premiums go up.
This is the federal contractor in Somerville who’s already living paycheck to paycheck and may not see a paycheck at all.
I was sworn to Congress in 2019 during the occupant’s first government shutdown.
I remember how harmful it was to workers, families and businesses alike.
For weeks, grant funding was withheld, families were denied paychecks, and businesses navigated uncertainty.
That shut down lasted 35 days, but the hardship it caused folks had a ripple effect for months, even years.
Third-party government contractors, for example, never received the back pay they deserve from that shutdown. That’s custodial staff and cafeteria workers who were never made whole.
Right now, we’re staring down a Republican-manufactured shutdown that would hurt our economy and my district.
And instead of working with Democrats to do their job—to fund the government and address the health care crisis that they created—Republicans are cheering for a government shutdown and pushing a terrible bill that will push health care out of reach of our families.
It is a shame. It is cruel and it is avoidable, totally preventable.
This bad faith budget they put forward doubles down on the hurt and harm of the Big, Ugly Bill that they ran through Congress.
This is as cruel and unnecessary, again, as it is preventable.
Republicans control the House, control the Senate and the White House.
You all keep talking about this “mandate” you have, we’ll do something with it that actually helps people instead of enacting more hurt and more harm.
Put forward a budget that addresses the health care crisis that you created.
Democrats are ready to do just that.
Ready to keep the government open. Ready to protect families. And ready to mitigate the harm from this Republican-made crisis.
I want to be clear, I will not stand by.
I’m not going quietly into the night while Republicans make our families poor, sicker, hunger and more vulnerable, all in the name of so called “efficiency.” That is not what we’re here to do.
To every family in the Massachusetts 7th and across our nation who would be impacted by a Republican shutdown, know this:
I see you. I’m fighting for you, and I will not give up.
Thank you, family. Appreciate you.
—
This summer, Donald Trump and Republicans in Congress slashed Medicaid to give tax breaks to billionaires. Now, they are threatening to shut down the government and lay off workers rather than working with Democrats to protect Americans from health insurance premium hikes and Republican health care cuts. Republicans control the House, Senate and White House. If the government shuts down, it’s because they chose to shut it down rather than pass a budget that protects our health care and keeps costs from rising.
The rally was co-sponsored by: 314 Action, Accountable.US/Accountable.NOW, American Federation of Teachers, Americans for Tax Fairness, Care Can’t Wait Action, Care In Action, Coalition on Human Needs, Committee To Protect Health Care, Community Catalyst, Disability Rights Education & Defense Fund, Economic Security Project Action, End Citizens United, Fair Share America, Families USA, Federal Unionists Network (FUN) Action, Free & Just, Groundwork Action, Indivisible, League of Conservation Voters, Main Street Alliance, MoveOn, National Women’s Law Center Action Fund, People for the American Way, Planned Parenthood Action Fund, Popular Democracy in Action, Progressive Change Institute, Protect Our Care, Public Citizen, Roots Action, SEIU, and Unrig Our Economy.