The following is the transcript of the interview with House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, Democrat of New York, that aired on "Face the Nation with Margaret Brennan" on Oct. 26, 2025.

MARGARET BRENNAN: And we're back with the top Democrat in the House, Leader Hakeem Jeffries. He joins us from his Brooklyn, New York district. Good morning.

DEMOCRATIC LEADER REP. HAKEEM JEFFRIES: Good morning. Great to be with you.

MARGARET BRENNAN: Well, Leader Jeffries, Treasury Secretary Bessent said the shutdown is starting to affect the economy, and by November 15, the troops will not be paid. Do you expect the shutdown to last that long?

REP. JEFFRIES: I certainly hope not. This is day 26 of the Trump, Republican shutdown. And as Democrats, we have maintained from the very beginning, and continu

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