Jeffries rejects unwritten shutdown deal with GOP
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries said on Sept. 24, 2025 that Democrats will not accept any 'handshake' or unwritten agreement to avert a government shutdown, insisting protections for health‑care provisions must be codified in legislation. The statement comes as federal funding is set to expire at midnight on Sept. 30 and after a planned White House meeting between party leaders was canceled at the urging of Republican congressional leaders.
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Hakeem Jeffries rules out handshake deal with Republicans to avert shutdown
New information:
- Hakeem Jeffries (D‑N.Y.) publicly ruled out accepting an unwritten 'handshake' deal to prevent a shutdown and said any agreement on health care must be 'ironclad and in legislation.'
- Federal funding is scheduled to lapse at midnight on Sept. 30, 2025, which would trigger a partial federal government shutdown unless Congress acts.
- Democrats are pushing to extend expiring Affordable Care Act subsidies and restore Medicaid funding cut in the 'Big, Beautiful Bill'; Republicans insist on a 'clean' continuing resolution without such additions.