House Minority Leader Jeffries defends Democrats' healthcare push amid shutdown

By Scott Detrow,

Kathryn Fink, Patrick Jarenwattananon

Published October 2, 2025 at 4:26 PM EDT

NPR's Scott Detrow talks with House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries on his Democratic Party's strategy to resolve the government shutdown.

Corrected: October 2, 2025 at 7:11 PM EDT

A previous headline for this interview mistakenly identified Hakeem Jeffries as the Senate Minority Leader. He is the House Minority Leader.

Tags

NPR

Scott Detrow

Scott Detrow is a White House correspondent for NPR and co-hosts the NPR Politics Podcast.

See stories by Scott Detrow

Kathryn Fink

Kathryn Fink is a producer with NPR's All Things Considered.

Patrick Jarenwattananon

See stories by Patrick Jarenwattananon

WRVO is at a critical moment.

Recent cuts to federal funding are challenging our mission to serve central and upstate New York with trusted journalism, vital local coverage, and the diverse programming that informs and connects our communities. This is the moment to join our community of supporters and help keep journalists on the ground, asking hard questions that matter to our region.

Stand with public media and make your gift today—not just for yourself, but for all who depend on WRVO as a trusted resource and civic cornerstone in central and upstate New York.

Support WRVO now