1:29Rep. Mike Lawler challenges House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries regarding his endorsement of legislation aimed at prolonging Affordable Care Act tax breaks, after a House Democrats press briefing in the Capitol Visitor, October 8, 2025.John Mcdonnell/AP
Friction was evident in public on Capitol Hill on Wednesday as the federal shutdown extended into its eighth day without any visible headway towards settling the deadlock.
A heated in-person dispute unfolded in the corridor between House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries and New York Republican Rep. Mike Lawler.
"We secured a one-year extension. Why aren’t you signing on immediately?" Lawler questioned as he neared Jeffries leaving a news event, alluding to a bipartisan measure presented in the House to prolong the Affordable Care Act subsidies for a year.
"Did you receive approval from your superior?" Jeffries retorted. "Did your leader Donald Trump grant you authorization?"
"You can readily extend the ACA right now," Lawler asserted — even though his own party principals, including Speaker Mike Johnson, have signaled no inclination to back that bill as a shutdown settlement.
Meanwhile, Jeffries seeks a lasting prolongation of the tax credits, stating earlier in the week that a single-year extension of the ACA is a “non-negotiable issue."
"You are staging this to make yourself noticeable," Jeffries remarked to Lawler. "You’re making a spectacle of yourself at this moment."
"Why don’t you simply be quiet," Jeffries added at one juncture.
Lawler countered, "Is that the appropriate manner to communicate?"
Rep. Mike Lawler confronts House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries about signing on to a bill that would extend Affordable Care Act tax credits, after a House Democrats news conference in the Capitol Visitor, October 8, 2025.ABC News
Previously, a tumultuous occurrence transpired outside the Speaker’s Office on Capitol Hill on Wednesday when Johnson disrupted an informal gathering between journalists and Arizona Sens. Mark Kelly and Ruben Gallego concerning government financing and the induction of Rep.-elect Adelita Grijalva.
Gallego challenged Johnson on the reason he won’t inaugurate Grijalva, who was victorious in a special election in Arizona's 7th Congressional District last month.
"We are pleased she was chosen … We maintain a longstanding tradition and procedure for administering the oath to members … We intend to execute that as soon as we resume work. However, we require the services restored, so we urge both of you to reopen the government," Johnson replied.
Gallego blamed Johnson for stalling the induction to impede progress on the Jeffrey Epstein files discharge petition. Grijalva will represent the 218th signature, upon induction, which will compel the House to conduct a vote on the subject in the future.
"That’s completely illogical," Johnson stated, asserting it has "no connection to Epstein."
"You persist in devising excuses," Gallego responded.
Speaker of the House, Mike Johnson speaks with Arizona Senators Mark Kelly and Ruben Gallego outside the Speaker’s office at the Capitol in Washington, Oct. 8, 2025.ABC News
Johnson accused the Democratic legislators of orchestrating a "publicity play."
Gallego again inquired "why are you obstructing her" swearing-in.
"I am not obstructing her! I just informed you,” Johnson conveyed, becoming irritated.
"Is this the most prolonged period that the House of Representatives has been out of session…longest duration for someone to be sworn in… does that not coincide with the fact that she is poised to be the critical vote on the discharge petition?" Gallego responded.
"I understand your agitation," Johnson answered. "You are experiencing substantial pressure due to the government shutdown."
Kelly implored Johnson to reconvene the House to engage in "a sincere discussion" regarding Democrats' healthcare demands.
"Allow me to clarify their absence. It’s because the House fulfilled its obligation," Johnson stated.
Subsequently, Lawler surfaced and interjected — denouncing the Democratic senators for triggering the government shutdown.
Speaker of the House, Mike Johnson and Rep. Mike Lawler speak with Arizona Senators Mark Kelly and Ruben Gallego outside the Speaker’s office at the Capitol in Washington, Oct. 8, 2025.ABC News
"Refrain from attempting to lecture us," Lawler asserted. "How about proceeding down the corridor and casting your vote to reopen the government. That would be commendable … Thank you kindly."
The Senate on Wednesday was unable to advance two competing funding proposals, one from Republicans and another from Democrats, aimed at resolving the shutdown.
The group persisted in talking over each other about healthcare premiums.
"There are considerable flaws with Obamacare," Johnson conveyed. "Folks, we must reopen the government and restore services."
"Get your associates involved and cease shielding the pedophiles," Gallego remarked.
Johnson responded, "That's preposterous!"
"Nobody is shielding pedophiles. Therefore, desist with that nonsense! You are being utterly ridiculous," Lawler concluded.
Sourse: abcnews.go.com
