House Minority Leader on government shutdown, healthcare premiums and Mandami endorsement

(CBS, KYMA) - House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) with Margaret Brennan on Face the Nation Sunday about the ongoing government shutdown.

Brennan brought up her previous interview with Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, who said the shutdown is starting to affect the U.S. economy, and said troops will not be paid by November 15.

When asked if he expects the shutdown to last that long, Jeffries said, "I certainly hope not."

During the interview, Brennan and Jeffries talked about healthcare premiums as next Saturday, November 1, is the beginning of open enrollment.

This lead Brennan to ask Jeffries if he's out of time as insurance companies have set the premiums in place, as well as ask him what becomes the strategy after November 1 if the shutdown lasts that long, and Jeffries said:

"We want to reopen the government, and we need to stand by our hardworking federal employees who are doing all that they can to make sure that taxpayer dollars are spent effectively and efficiently, even under the most adverse circumstances. Remember, in terms of federal employees, the Trump administration has fired or dismissed more than 200,000 civil servants prior to them shutting the government down on October 1. We want to reopen the government now. In terms of healthcare, part of the reality is that tens of millions of people are already receiving notices in October that their premiums are about to skyrocket because of the Republican refusal to extend the Affordable Care Act tax credit. And by the way, they have had the opportunity, both House Republicans and Senate Republicans, repeatedly throughout the year, to extend the Affordable Care Act tax credits. And they've consistently voted against it. That's why we need action, not simply words, a wing and a prayer promise from people who have tried to repeal the Affordable Care Act more than 70 different times since 2010."

Later in the interview, Brennan and Jeffries talked about the latter endorsing Democratic candidate Zohran Mamdani on Friday, the day before early voting began in New York.

When asked why he waited to endorse Mamdani, Jeffries said:

"[In the] last several weeks, we've been immersed in the intensity around the government shutdown and the run-up to that in advance of September 30 and the expiration of the fiscal year. But I support the Democratic nominee, as I indicated, and we're in alignment in terms of the issue related to affordability and the need to address it decisively for the City of New York. And of course, affordability is an issue for people all across the country. From a public safety standpoint, I supported the notion that he would retain Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch to continue to lead the NYPD forward. That's incredibly important, from a public safety standpoint for every community, including as a high priority, the safety and security of the Jewish community. And in terms of the moment that we find ourselves in, Donald Trump represents an existential threat to the City of New York and beyond, because of the extreme assault that has taken place throughout this year on the economy, on healthcare, on farmers, on veterans, on law-abiding immigrant communities, on due process, on the rule of law, and, of course, on the American way of life itself, and we all as Americans are going to have to be aligned and pushing back so we can end this national nightmare that Donald Trump has visited upon the American people."

Brennan followed up by asking if he recommends the Democratic Party to mimic some of Mamdani's messages, and Jeffries said:

"No, what we're going to mimic is our own views as it relates to the need to make life more affordable. Here in America, when you work hard and play by the rules, in this country, you should be able to live a comfortable life, live the good life, good paying job, good housing, good healthcare, good education for your children and a good retirement but far too many people are struggling to live paycheck to paycheck and can barely get by. That’s unacceptable in the wealthiest country in the history of the world."

To watch more of Brennan's interview with Jeffries, click here.