U.S. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) speaks to reporters during a press conference at the U.S. Capitol Building on September 29, 2025 in Washington, DC.
Anna Moneymaker | Getty Images
Congressional Democrats held the line on their health-care demands just hours before meeting Monday with President Donald Trump and Republican leadership to discuss avoiding a U.S. government shutdown.
“Enough with the games that Republicans have been playing connected to the health care of the American people,” House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries said. “And no one can trust their word on health care.”
“What we will not do is support a partisan Republican spending bill,” said Jeffries.
Democrats insist that any deal in Congress to stave off a federal shutdown at 12:01 a.m. ET on Wednesday must extend enhanced Obamacare tax credits that are due to expire at the end of 2025.
But Republicans insist that any negotiations on continuing those credits in future years should happen after a funding resolution is approved by the Senate.
Trump is set to meet at 3 p.m. ET with the New York lawmaker Jeffries, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., and Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D.
At least seven Senate Democrats would need to vote with Republicans to pass legislation that averts a shutdown.
This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.
