LEADER JEFFRIES: "HOUSE REPUBLICANS ARE NOT SERIOUS ABOUT REOPENING THE GOVERNMENT"
Today, House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries held a press conference on the House Steps, where he called out Republicans for skipping town while House Democrats remain ready, willing and able to work on ending the reckless government shutdown and Republican healthcare crisis.
LEADER JEFFRIES: Good afternoon, everyone. House and Senate Democrats have repeatedly made clear that we will sit down with anyone, any time, any place to negotiate a bipartisan agreement that reopens the government and that addresses the Republican healthcare crisis. We've also made clear that we will not support a partisan Republican spending bill that continues to gut the healthcare of the American people, because we're dealing with a Republican created healthcare crisis that must be addressed with the fierce urgency of now. It's time for House Republicans to get back in town, get to the negotiating table and get real about reopening the government and addressing the quality of life and cost of living challenges that the American people face all across the country.
House Republicans canceled votes last week. House Republicans canceled votes this week. House Republicans appear ready to cancel votes next week. These people are not serious about reopening the government. Donald Trump and Republicans decided to shut down the government because they'd rather inflict that kind of pain that the American people are experiencing right now than address the healthcare of everyday Americans and the need to urgently extend the Affordable Care Act tax credits to avoid tens of millions of Americans from having to pay dramatically increased premiums, co-pays and deductibles. This Republican healthcare crisis must be addressed with the fierce urgency of now. It's not a partisan position. It's a widely held view amongst the American people all across the country, which is why our position continues to be clear. We will sit down to negotiate with members of the Trump administration, with Republican leaders in the House and the Senate. We're ready to do it now. But we have to also address the Republican healthcare crisis.
Full press conference can be watched here.