House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries recently commented on the ongoing discussions surrounding the debt ceiling, stating that it is premature to negotiate over the issue at this point. He emphasized that House Democrats will not vote to protect Speaker Mike Johnson if he is at risk of losing his position.
Jeffries urged House Republicans to support the stopgap spending package that was being developed earlier this week, prior to President-elect Donald Trump's opposition to it. Trump's objection brought attention to the contentious debt limit matter, with the President advocating for its resolution before Inauguration Day.
Expressing his stance on the situation, Jeffries criticized the Republican-driven shutdown as reckless and emphasized the importance of adhering to the bipartisan agreement that had been previously negotiated. He described the original agreement as the most favorable course of action.
When questioned about potential alternative options, Jeffries evaded a direct response, reiterating the readiness of House Democrats to proceed with the bipartisan agreement that had been crafted in collaboration with Senate Democrats and Republicans to address the current needs of the American people.
In response to inquiries regarding Elon Musk's influence within the Republican Party and the leadership dynamics, Jeffries acknowledged the significance of the question but indicated a lack of definitive answers at the moment.
While Jeffries did not confirm direct communication with Speaker Johnson, he affirmed his commitment to maintaining an open line of dialogue. When asked about the prospect of safeguarding Johnson in the event of an internal party challenge, Jeffries responded with a straightforward 'no'.
