Politics
‘You’re Embarrassing Yourself’: Hakeem Jeffries Blasts Republican Lawmaker
By Jake Beardslee · October 8, 2025
Heated Exchange Erupts Between New York Representatives
A tense confrontation unfolded at the U.S. Capitol on Wednesday when Republican Representative Mike Lawler approached Democratic House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries in a hallway outside a news conference. The heated exchange between the two New York representatives underscores the escalating partisan discord surrounding the ongoing government shutdown, now in its eighth day. Andy Abeyta/The Desert Sun / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
Healthcare Subsidies at Center of Dispute
Lawler demanded that Jeffries support a bipartisan bill authored by Virginia Republican Representative Jen Kiggans that would temporarily extend Affordable Care Act premium tax credits for one year. The confrontation highlights the critical stalemate over healthcare affordability measures that has prevented Congress from passing funding legislation to reopen the federal government. Peter Carr/The Journal News / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
"You're Embarrassing Yourself," Jeffries Responds
The Democratic leader firmly rejected Lawler's demands during the approximately five-minute encounter. Jeffries repeatedly told the Republican congressman, "You're embarrassing yourself." When Lawler continued pressing, Jeffries instructed him to "Just keep your mouth shut," prompting Lawler to respond, "Is that the way to talk?" Andy Abeyta/The Desert Sun / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
Accusations of Political Opportunism
Jeffries accused Lawler of "chasing clout" by confronting him publicly while cameras were present. The Democratic leader also suggested that Lawler was attempting to raise his profile because he's "afraid you're about to lose reelection." Lawler denied the claim, stating, "No, I'm not going to lose reelection." U.S. House of Representatives / Wikimedia
Broader Issues Emerge in Exchange
Beyond the immediate dispute over the ACA subsidy bill, Lawler questioned Jeffries about why he has not endorsed Zohran Mamdani, the Democratic nominee in the New York City mayoral race. The two representatives also discussed the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, which passed earlier this year. Yannick Peterhans/NorthJersey.com / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
Government Shutdown Enters Eighth Day
The confrontation occurs amid a continuing impasse between Senate and House leadership over whether to include permanent ACA subsidy extensions in stopgap funding measures. House Republican leaders have called on Democrats to support their continuing resolution passed last month, while Senate Democrats maintain that healthcare affordability protections are non-negotiable for any agreement to reopen the government. Kaboompics.com / Pexels
Stakes Continue to Rise
The prolonged shutdown affects hundreds of thousands of federal employees, military service members, and civilian personnel who face uncertainty about their paychecks. Additionally, millions of Americans face the prospect of dramatically increased healthcare premiums if the ACA subsidies are not extended. Kaboompics.com / Pexels
President Trump Weighs In
President Donald Trump addressed the situation on Truth Social, stating: "Democrats have SHUT DOWN the United States Government right in the midst of one of the most successful Economies, including a Record Stock Market, that our Country has ever had. This has sadly affected so many programs, services, and other elements of Society that Americans rely on — And it should not have happened. I am happy to work with the Democrats on their Failed Healthcare Policies, or anything else, but first they must allow our Government to re-open. In fact, they should open our Government tonight!" The White House / Wikimedia
Democrats Push Back on Republican Narrative
House Minority Leader Jeffries took to X on Wednesday, writing: "Healthcare premiums are about to double or triple for millions of Americans. House Republicans don't give a d***. You deserve better." His statement reflects Democratic frustrations with Republican proposals that they view as inadequate to protect healthcare affordability. NASA Headquarters / NASA/Joel Kowsky, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Lawler Defends His Actions
In response to video of the confrontation circulating on social media, Lawler posted on X: "Shutting down the government is cowardice to radicals in the Democratic Party, like AOC and the Squad. @RepJeffries has once again chosen partisanship over governance. Instead of coming to the table to work out a bipartisan compromise that extends ACA credits, he's playing political games with people's livelihoods. It's disgraceful, and it's hurting families across the country." Seth Harrison/The Journal News / USA TODAY NETWORK