Hakeem Jeffries, U.S. Congressman representing New York’s 8th district since 2013, has posted a series of statements on social media criticizing Republican approaches to healthcare and government funding. In his recent posts, Jeffries accused former President Donald Trump and House Republicans of creating a healthcare crisis and suggested their actions are leading towards a government shutdown.
On September 12, 2025, Jeffries wrote: “Donald Trump and House Republicans have created a healthcare crisis in America. They have no interest in fixing it. And that’s why Republicans are determined to shut the government down.”
The following day, September 13, 2025, he reiterated his stance on access to healthcare by posting: “Healthcare is a right that should be affordable and available for all Americans.”
Continuing his criticism of Republican-led legislative efforts on September 15, 2025, Jeffries stated: “Partisan legislation that continues the unprecedented Republican assault on healthcare is not a clean spending bill. It’s a dirty one.”
Jeffries’ comments come as debates over federal spending bills and potential government shutdowns intensify in Congress. The representative has been an advocate for accessible healthcare during his tenure in the House of Representatives.
Before being elected to Congress in 2013—replacing Edolphus Towns—Jeffries served in the New York State Assembly from 2007 to 2012. He was born in Brooklyn in 1970 and continues to reside there. His educational background includes a Bachelor of Arts from Binghamton University (1992) and a Juris Doctor from New York University (1997).
