Jeffries: GOP led by wealthy 'puppeteers'

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) slammed GOP leaders Thursday evening after the Republicans' Trump-backed plan to fund the federal government and raise the debt ceiling was trounced on the House floor.

Jeffries accused Republicans of caving to the demands of Elon Musk, the billionaire Trump loyalist, whose opposition to a bipartisan spending agreement helped tank that deal and left Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) scrambling for an alternative on Thursday.

That second proposal was shot down in a lopsided vote of 174 to 235, with one lawmaker voting present — a long ways from the two-thirds majority (273 votes) required to pass the measure under the fast-track procedure Republicans attempted.

"The Musk-Johnson government shutdown bill has been soundly defeated," Jeffries posted on Bluesky, an alternative platform to Musk's X.

"MAGA extremists in the House GOP are not serious about helping working class Americans," he continued. "They are simply doing the bidding of their wealthy donors and puppeteers.

"Unacceptable."

It's unclear what happens next. The overwhelming defeat of Johnson's partisan bill means it has no chance of passing the lower chamber even if it goes through regular order, which would require only a simple majority to pass.

If Congress fails to act, large parts of the federal government will shutter on Saturday at 12:01 a.m.

Topics

Jeffries says 'hell no' to GOP funding deal, ratcheting up chances of a shutdown

Politico - 11h
Jeffries shuts down raising the debt ceiling

Politico - 18h
Jeffries: DOGE Caucus 'not a serious effort' with Greene in charge

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) scoffed at the idea of Democrats joining the newly formed House subcommittee on the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) led by Rep. Marjorie ...
The Hill - Dec. 12
Jeffries: No Dems will support Johnson for Speaker on House floor

Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) is expected to keep his gavel in the next Congress after receiving glowing reviews from President-elect Trump. But if there is any kind of revolt from Johnson’s ...
The Hill - Dec. 11
Jeffries: Democrats not telling members how to vote on NDAA

House Democratic leaders will not tell their members how to vote on the measure to reauthorize Pentagon spending that is hitting the floor Wednesday afternoon. House Minority Leader Hakeem ...
The Hill - Dec. 11
Watch live: Jeffries holds presser as Dems prepare for GOP-controlled government

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries will hold a press conference Wednesday morning as Democrats in both chambers of Congress prepare for Republicans to take full control of government following ...
The Hill - Dec. 11
Former Abercrombie & Fitch CEO Mike Jeffries in court

Former Abercrombie & Fitch CEO Mike Jeffries appeared in court on Long Island for a hearing in his federal sex trafficking case. CBS News' Tom Hanson reports on what occurred in the proceeding.
CBS News - Dec. 10
Elon Musk risks being 'political puppet master', says Nick Clegg

The former deputy PM turned top Meta boss tells Nick Robinson that Musk is playing an "outsized" role in US politics.
BBC News - Dec. 6
The top books and experiences for the wealthy this holiday season

J.P. Morgan Private Bank's "NextList2025" includes four museums, two wineries, four Broadway shows and 10 books.
CNBC - Dec. 3