Hakeem Jeffries: We’re Ready and Able to Sit Down with Anyone to Make Sure That We Can Fund the Gov’t

RUSH TRANSCRIPT:
RADDATZ: “I’m joined now in studio by house minority leader Hakeem Jeffries. We have learned this morning that you will be meeting with Donald Trump on Monday with Mike Johnson, leader Schumer, leader Thune. How did that meeting come about?”

Jeffries: “Well, leader Schumer and I initially requested a meeting Saturday. Donald Trump agreed to the meeting, and then a few days later abruptly canceled it. We’ve made clear that we’re ready, willing and able to sit down with anyone at any time and at any place in order to make sure that we can actually fund the government, avoid a painful Republican-caused shutdown, and address the health care crisis that Republicans have caused that’s impacting everyday Americans all across the country.”

RADDATZ: “So, did the White House call you — all of you — or did you keep asking for a meeting? Did they explain why it was canceled before?”

Jeffries: “They did not explain why it was canceled other than the statement Donald Trump issued that mischaracterized the democratic position. Our position has been very clear. Cancel the cuts, lower the costs, save health care so we can address the issues that really matter to the American people in an environment where the cost of living is too high, where the quality of life of everyday Americans has been undermined consistently since January 20th. Speaker Mike Johnson reached out to me yesterday, indicated that there had been a conversation between Republican leaders and the president.”