Partisan standoffs in the Capitol are bubbling into tense public confrontations as the government shutdown heads into its tenth day — with no end in sight.
On Wednesday alone, a pair of confrontations garnered significant attention as lawmakers on both sides of the aisle struggle to secure the upper hand in negotiations.
Rep. Mike Lawler (R-N.Y.) confronted House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) over his unwillingness to support his bill — a one-year extension of the enhanced Affordable Care Act subsidies — in what became a five-minute back-and-forth.
It all took place in front of gawking reporters following what has become Jeffries’ daily shutdown press conference, with Jeffries calling Lawler a “complete and total embarrassment.”
Hours earlier, Arizona Sens. Ruben Gallego (D)