Jeffries says he’s ‘hopeful’ Congress can avert a government shutdown

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) said Sunday he’s “hopeful” Congress can avert a government shutdown, a day before he and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) are set to meet with President Trump and GOP leaders at the White House.

“Our view going into the meeting is that we want to find bipartisan common ground to find a spending agreement that avoids a government shutdown and actually meets the needs of the American people in terms of their health, their safety and their economic well-being,” Jeffries said in an interview on ABC News’s “This Week.”

Asked directly if he expects a government shutdown, Jeffries said, “Well, it’s my hope that we’ll avoid one. At the end of the day, Republicans do control the House, the Senate, and the presidency.”

Democratic leaders have been adamant that Republicans won’t get their party’s support without action on Affordable Care Act subsidies that are set to expire at the end of the year — a demand Republicans have maintained is a nonstarter. 

“We want to find a bipartisan path forward and reach a spending agreement with our Republican colleagues that actually meets the needs of the American people, but that also addresses the Republican health care crisis that is harming everyday Americans all across the country,” Jeffries said.

The House Democratic leader noted the last shutdown, which lasted 35 days, came during Trump’s first term in office. “That was way too long. Ultimately, Donald Trump and Republicans came to their senses,” he said.

“Hopefully, we avoid a shutdown this time around. And if we’re in one, we find a quick path out,” Jeffries continued, responding to a question about what he plans to do if the government shuts down.

On whether he feels “more optimistic this morning,” Jeffries said, “I’m hopeful.”