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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Hakeem Jeffries (8th District of New York)

Today, House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries appeared on MSNBC’s Way Too Early, where he reiterated that Democrats will continue fighting to protect the healthcare of the American people and lower the high cost of living.

ALI VITALI: House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries joining us for the first time on Way Too Early. Thank you for coming on, waking up early. You and I were both up at the Capitol late last night. It’s pretty strong words there from Karoline Leavitt, but at this point the shutdown is over. I wonder, what was your reaction when you first saw the deal that Senate Democrats agreed to that ultimately ended this and was voted on last night?

LEADER JEFFRIES: Well of course there was disappointment, but the reality is, notwithstanding what the unhinged White House Press Secretary had to say, is that Donald Trump is the President, Republicans control the House, the Senate and the presidency. They made the decision several weeks ago, shut down the government, their view, because they didn’t want to provide affordable healthcare to everyday Americans. Our position from the very beginning was clear. We wanted to find a bipartisan path forward to enact a spending agreement that actually meets the needs of the American people, but we could not support a partisan Republican spending bill that continues to gut the healthcare of the American people.

ALI VITALI: Six of your Members ultimately broke ranks to do that, but by and large they stayed unified. I think you referenced the fact that the deal itself was disappointing because it fell short of those tangibles on healthcare that you were just talking about. But some of your Members have gone further to say that they think that Leader Schumer should no longer be the Democratic Leader. I know you’ve said that you support him, but do you understand where some of their criticism and frustration comes from?

LEADER JEFFRIES: Leader Schumer and the overwhelming majority of Senate Democrats waged a valiant fight week after week after week, month after month after month starting in September into November in order to make sure that we were being clear with the American people. That yes, we always support finding common ground. We certainly support our hardworking federal employees. But at the same period of time, we’re in the midst of a healthcare crisis that Republicans have created. This group of extremists has enacted the largest cut to Medicaid in American history. Hospitals and nursing homes and community-based health centers are closing all across the country because of what Republicans have done in their One Big Ugly Bill. And now these extremists refuse to find a dime to extend the Affordable Care Act tax credits in order to help keep healthcare affordable for working-class Americans, middle-class Americans and everyday Americans. It’s unacceptable, and House and Senate Democrats are aligned in continuing to press the case to save the healthcare of the American people.

ALI VITALI: You introduced a discharge petition to that effect. It’s something that takes a long time. We’ve talked about the procedure a lot on this show. I’ve already talked to one Republican who I thought might be someone open to signing it, but they said that they would not be. Have you heard from Republicans that are open to this, bucking their own leadership and getting on board for something on the Affordable Care Act, specifically the three-year clean extension that you’re laying out in this discharge petition?

LEADER JEFFRIES: Well, over the last several weeks, several Republicans have gone on record saying that they understood the need to extend the Affordable Care Act tax credits in order to prevent tens of millions of Americans from experiencing dramatically-increased premiums, copays and deductibles. What the American people who are in the middle of open enrollment right now may confront is the fact that for many folks all across this country, including in rural parts of America, they may see increases in their health insurance of $1,000 or $2,000 per month. That’s unsustainable. Now, it remains to be seen whether Republicans actually are going to behave in a manner consistent with what they’ve been saying and join with Democrats to partner to save their healthcare and extend the Affordable Care Act tax credits.

ALI VITALI: I think the open question is how do we avoid being in this exact same position come January 31st of next year?

LEADER JEFFRIES: Well, I think one of the challenges that we’ve had throughout the entire year, and this is the American people who have been dealing with unprecedented extremism being jammed down their throats by Donald Trump and compliant Republicans in the House and the Senate, is that the Republicans have adopted a my-way-or-the-highway approach. And unless they change course, we’re going to have challenges, governmentally, for the balance of the first two years of Donald Trump’s time in office. Now, as Democrats, we continue to make clear we’re ready, we’re willing, we’re able to find a bipartisan path forward to enact a spending agreement that actually improves the quality of life. And, Ali, that means driving down the high cost of living in an environment where we have both an affordability crisis and a healthcare crisis. Donald Trump promised that costs would go down on day one. Costs haven’t gone down on day one. Costs have gone up. Inflation is up. The Trump tariffs are adding thousands of dollars per year of additional expense to everyday Americans. Housing costs are too high. Grocery costs are too high. Child care costs are too high. Electricity bills are through the roof. And now, because of the Republican healthcare crisis, tens of millions of people are facing the possibility that their healthcare will become unaffordable and they can’t see a doctor when they need one. These are core problems. And we need Republicans to partner with us, exercise some common sense, let’s find bipartisan common ground in order to enact the common good.

ALI VITALI: I wonder if we can just step back for a moment because relationships are the currency of Congress. You and I both know that. Over the last 43 days, we’ve seen your colleague, Speaker Johnson, keep the House out of session. We’ve seen him delay swearing in one of your Democratic colleagues, Adelita Gajalva. I wonder how you would characterize your relationship with the Speaker at this point because I can remember, just last year, House Democrats voting to help him keep his job as Speaker.

LEADER JEFFRIES: Yeah, it’s very interesting, and Marjorie Taylor Greene was on the other side of that issue—

ALI VITALI: She was—

LEADER JEFFRIES: And now Marjorie Taylor Greene continues to acknowledge that we have a healthcare crisis that has to be addressed, and that House Republicans have no clue as to what to do about it. That’s, I think, our biggest challenge with both Mike Johnson and with the Republicans. That they promised to do one thing, lower the high cost of living, but have done nothing about it. If anything, through their One Big Ugly Bill, all they’ve done, largest cut to Medicaid in American history, ripped $186 billion in SNAP benefits away from hungry children, seniors and veterans, and they did all of this so they could enact massive tax breaks for their billionaire donors, which they made permanent. That’s our big challenge with Mike Johnson and with these Republicans—

ALI VITALI: So sorry to interrupt, Mr. Leader, but for you, the way that you deal as leader to leader, it feels like there’s acrimony there that I did not see when this relationship began in a period of split government in Washington.

LEADER JEFFRIES: I wouldn’t suggest that there’s acrimony, but certainly there are going to be challenges moving forward in terms of real differences and policy friction. And there’s also a challenge—it was irresponsible for Mike Johnson to keep House Republicans on a taxpayer-funded vacation for more than seven weeks and to castrate, you know, the House of Representatives as it relates to his majority. At the end of the day, we’re a separate and co-equal branch of government. The problem with House Republicans is that they continue to function like a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Trump cartel, as opposed to what Democrats will do, which is serve as a check-and-balance on an out-of-control executive branch.

ALI VITALI: I wonder if, given that, you regret the way that the Caucus acted when his job was in jeopardy.

LEADER JEFFRIES: No, I think that every moment calls for the best possible decision at the time. Joe Biden was the President, Senate Democrats were in the majority. We had a responsibility to continue to move forward, particularly in that instance where we needed to fund our ally Ukraine that’s in a war defending not just their territorial integrity, but also principles of democracy and freedom and truth.

ALI VITALI: Yeah, it was a different House at that point. We are in a different landscape now here. House Minority Leader, Hakeem Jeffries, I appreciate you waking up, first time on Way Too Early.

Full interview can be watched here.

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Debbie Wasserman Schultz (FL-23)

As they argued in their amicus brief submitted to the Supreme Court, the lawmakers again stressed to the Ninth Circuit that the District Court correctly ruled in alignment with the intent of Congress – that the Executive Branch is to determine humanitarian protections such as TPS according to set criteria as opposed to political preferences. “The Northern District of California properly determined that the plain text of the TPS statute does not support the Secretary’s argument that her actions are unreviewable. Nor does it support the Secretary’s actions with respect to Venezuelan TPS. Instead, the Executive Branch’s interpretation of the TPS statute essentially rewrites the statute to claim a power that Congress did not delegate to the Executive Branch,” they wrote in the brief’s introduction.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Jerrold Nadler (10th District of New York)

West Side Elected Officials Call on NYC EDC to Pause Manhattan Cruise Terminal Master Plan

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Dina Titus (1st District of Nevada)

Rep. Dina Titus (NV-01) released the following statement about today’s House-passed government funding bill:

“I voted no on the Continuing Resolution because it is even worse than when it left the House.

“Senate Democrats capitulated with no concrete assurances of addressing the current Republican healthcare crisis. Meanwhile, Speaker Mike Johnson continuously refuses to commit the House to a vote on Affordable Care Act premium subsidy extensions. As a result of this inaction, thousands of Nevadans will lose their health insurance, and those who can afford the skyrocketing premiums will see costs double and, in some cases, triple.

“This would be reason enough to oppose the legislation; but beyond the failure to protect affordable healthcare for Nevadans, it codifies President Trump’s heartless rescissions which have resulted in over 600,000 deaths around the world caused by malnutrition and preventable diseases. The bill also allows Republican Senators to line their pockets with taxpayer dollars, and it slashes funding for needed water conservation programs in Southern Nevada.

“With their votes on this flawed spending bill together with the Big, Ugly, BS Bill, Republicans are leaving Nevadans sicker, hungrier, and poorer. Rest assured, I will not give up this fight. All of these indefensible decisions must be reversed.”

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Diana DeGette (First District of Colorado)

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Congresswoman Diana DeGette (CO-01) released the following statement ahead of the vote in the House of Representatives to end the government shutdown. 

“While health care costs are skyrocketing, House Republicans have been on vacation for over 7 weeks. Donald Trump has been laying off thousands of federal workers, trying to withhold SNAP benefits, threatening TSA and air traffic controllers, gallivanting around Asia, throwing parties at Mar-a-Lago, pardoning his election denial team, and demolishing the White House. He’s doing all of this while refusing to acknowledge that costs are up because of his policies, even saying that he doesn’t ‘want to hear about affordability.’ 

“I have consistently said that I am ready to pass a bill that reopens the government and ends the Republican health care crisis. Unfortunately, the Senate bill fails to lower the cost of health care while including pure grift of giving eight senators the ability to sue the federal government for $1 million. Heath care costs in Denver are doubling on average, and my constituents are going to be forced to choose between staying on their health insurance or affording daily essentials while the Republican abuse of power continues. 

“I am a HELL NO on this bill because it does nothing to lower health care costs while greenlighting the Trump administration’s agenda of contempt and corruption.” 

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Adam Smith (9th District of Washington)

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Representative Adam Smith (D-Wash.), released the following statement after voting no on the deal to reopen the federal government:

“I voted no on the Senate’s deal to reopen the government because it fails to address the most urgent needs of the American people. For more than forty days, Democrats have fought for affordable health care and for families struggling to make ends meet. Letting the Affordable Care Act subsidies expire will knock millions off their insurance and raise costs at a time when people can least afford it.

“Democrats have been ready to work since day one to find a bipartisan solution, but Speaker Johnson dissolved the House of Representatives for six weeks and refused to negotiate. That paralysis made it impossible to tackle the issues most Americans care about. Meanwhile, the Trump Administration has only made the crisis worse by laying off more federal workers and cutting off food assistance for hungry families.

“Although I voted no, I respect the desire to bring relief to those suffering from this shutdown. Federal employees have gone weeks without pay, families have gone hungry, and travelers have faced major disruptions. While the government will reopen tonight, our work is far from over. We must keep building a broad coalition to protect access to health care, support working families, and hold this administration accountable.”

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Morgan Griffith (R-VA)

The U.S. House of Representatives voted to end the longest government shutdown in U.S. history. Once again, Congressman Griffith joined House Republicans in passing a continuing resolution, Senate Amendment to H.R. 5371 – the Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act, 2026. This continuing resolution now heads to President Donald Trump for his approval. The government shutdown began on October 1, and due to Democratic Party political theater, has lasted 42 days.

Additionally, the government funding bill includes three full-year appropriations bills, such as the agriculture appropriations bill. U.S. Congressman Morgan Griffith (R-VA) secured federal funding in the agriculture appropriations bill for the following Ninth District projects: 

Project Name: Town of Pennington Gap Multipurpose Facility Project

Recipient Name: Town of Pennington Gap, Virginia

Amount Requested: $2,000,000

Amount Received: $2,000,000

Project Name: Town of St. Paul: A Safer St. Paul – Public Safety Building Project

Recipient Name: Town of St. Paul, Virginia

Amount Requested: $2,750,000

Amount Received: $2,750,000

Project Name: Weber City Volunteer Fire Department New Building Acquisition and Renovation Project

Recipient Name: Weber City Volunteer Fire Department

Amount Requested: $800,000

Amount Received: $600,000

Following passage of the government funding bill and the inclusion of federal funding for Ninth District projects, Congressman Griffith issued the following statement: 

“Investments in public facilities and safety help Ninth District officials provide for their respective local communities.

“I am glad to help secure these funds through the agriculture appropriations bill to bolster public buildings and safety in the communities of Pennington Gap, St. Paul and Weber City. Now that the government is reopening, I look forward to working on advancing the other appropriations bills.”

BACKGROUND

This revised continuing resolution extends government funding through January 30 and also includes full-year appropriations bills for Military Construction and Veterans Affairs, Agriculture and Legislative Branch.

The above community project funding requests were submitted by Rep. Griffith for fiscal years 2024 and 2025. No submitted requests were approved for fiscal year 2024 because Congress failed to advance full-year appropriations bills.

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Scott Peters (52nd District of California)

Washington, DC – Today, Rep. Scott Peters released the following statement after voting no on the Continuing Resolution that still fails to address the healthcare crisis:

“It’s good news that the longest government shutdown will end today. Many people who need food assistance will see their benefits restored. Air traffic controllers, TSA agents, and other federal employees who have been working without pay will be compensated. Our service members will not need to worry about the status of their next paycheck. 

“I voted against the continuing resolution on September 30th because vital health care tax credits were about to run out – a matter that should have been fixed by President Trump and Republican congressional leadership long before this funding deadline. The President’s overt assertions that he can spend or withhold money in the budget as he likes, known as impoundment, are unconstitutional and illegal and that issue was also not discussed.

“I voted against the resolution again today because those two items are still not addressed in this bill. Now we move to an actual budget negotiation to conclude in January. Health care costs are exploding – Democrats want to reverse that. I hold out hope that Congress will reaffirm its sole authority over the power of the purse and that the President abides by the deal Congress makes to fund the government. If those matters are resolved in ongoing negotiations, I’d expect to vote yes in January.

“The progress that was made in the Senate since September 30th to stop illegal firings and protect food assistance in the event of another shutdown occurred because Senators of both parties spoke to each other in good faith. Republicans are in charge. They need to begin working with Democrats on a budget deal immediately because they will need Democratic votes again. This ridiculous shutdown could have been avoided or minimized if they hadn’t pretended that they could force Democrats to take the bad deal without any say in the matter. I hope the appropriations process now returns to our nation’s longstanding tradition of bipartisan negotiation on behalf of the American people.”

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Scott Peters (52nd District of California)

San Diego, CA – Today, Rep. Peters released the following statement as the government shutdown stretches to day 36 and becomes the longest in our nation’s history:

“The consequences of this shutdown for Americans are only growing more dire. Tens of thousands of San Diegans have missed a paycheck. Nearly 400,000 don’t have enough food to eat as SNAP benefits hang in the balance. Without the extension of critical tax credits under the Affordable Care Act, 28,000 CA50 residents will see their healthcare costs skyrocket.   

“During previous shutdowns, Members of Congress were required to stay in Washington to vote as negotiations went on, which meant we were talking constantly about how to end the shutdown. This time, Speaker Johnson cancelled votes indefinitely and sent us all home, so there are no discussions happening. Republicans control the House, Senate, and White House. We need Leader Thune and Speaker Johnson to act as the independently elected leaders of a co-equal branch of government that they are, rather than waiting for President Trump to give them permission to negotiate with Democrats.  

“I introduced the No Budget No Pay Act to prevent Congress from getting paid unless it does its job and passes a budget on time. Putting our paychecks on the line alongside servicemembers and federal workers and requiring Members of Congress to stay in Washington during a shutdown, would light a fire under Congress to end the gridlock. 

“Also, during the shutdown, I donate my weekly take-home pay to local nonprofits working to support San Diegans who are suffering because of the shutdown. I have donated to Support the Enlisted Project (STEP), the San Diego Food Bank and Feeding San Diego, Interfaith Community Services, and Serving Seniors. 

“I will continue doing everything I can to support San Diegans and re-open the government as soon as possible. Find a detailed FAQ on what a shutdown means for essential services and San Diego families here.”

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Ilhan Omar (DFL-MN)

WASHINGTON — Congressional Progressive Caucus Deputy Chair Rep. Ilhan Omar (MN-05) issued the following statement following the House vote on the Senate spending deal to reopen the government:

“Today, my Progressive Caucus colleagues and I unanimously voted against the Senate deal on government funding today, just as we unanimously opposed the partisan House bill in September. Progressives were clear from the beginning of this fight: the American people need Congressional Democrats to demand real relief, not empty promises. 

“This deal does nothing to stop healthcare premiums from doubling for tens of millions of Americans or stop 4 million people from losing their coverage. It allows Trump to continue violating the law and withhold funds that Congress already approved. And in an egregious last-minute maneuver, this bill attached language that allows eight Senate Republicans to extract millions of dollars from taxpayers by suing the government for investigating Trump’s efforts to overturn the 2020 election.

“The public rightly recognizes that Trump and Congressional Republicans are to blame for the longest government shutdown in history, exploding healthcare costs, and the cruel and needless punishment of 42 million Americans receiving nutrition support. And the American people stood with Democrats as we stood firm and fought for Americans’ right to healthcare. Over the past two months, Progressive Caucus members sounded the alarm on behalf of Americans in districts across the country who won’t be able to afford their insulin or chemotherapy due to the Republicans’ healthcare crisis. As this shutdown ends, we are more committed than ever to the fight for health care as a human right.” 

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The Congressional Progressive Caucus (CPC) is made up of nearly 100 members standing up for progressive ideals in Washington and throughout the country. Since 1991, the CPC has advocated for progressive policies that prioritize working Americans over corporate interests. The CPC champions policies including comprehensive immigration reform, good-paying jobs, fair trade, universal health care, debt-free college, climate action, and a just foreign policy. The caucus is the leading voice calling for bold and sweeping solutions to the urgent crises facing this nation, including ending America’s broken for-profit health care system, raising American wages, eliminating political corruption, supporting the labor movement, and taking action to protect the planet for generations to come.