House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., on Wednesday called on Republicans "to show John McCain-level courage" and vote against the tax and domestic policy bill under consideration by the House.
The House on Wednesday began deliberating on the wide-ranging reconciliation bill that passed the Senate on Tuesday after a tie-breaking vote by Vice President JD Vance.
Jeffries, during a press conference Wednesday, criticized the legislation and called on "four Republicans" to emulate late GOP Sen. John McCain, who voted with Democrats to prevent the repeal of the Affordable Care Act in 2017.
"What type of party would bring a bill to the House floor that rips away Medicaid from those in need?" Jeffries said. "What kind of party would bring a bill to the House floor that literally robs food from the mouths of children, veterans and seniors? And all of this is being done to provide massive tax breaks to their billionaire donors. It's unconscionable; it's unacceptable; it's un-American.
"All we need are four Republicans — just four — to show John-McCain-level courage. There are 220 of them, all we need are four."
Jeffries said legislators must "act in a manner consistent with the better angels of this country" and "stand up for everyday Americans, not the wealthy, the well-off, and the well-connected."
He added: "That's what Republicans are doing in bringing this one big ugly bill to the House floor. Why would anyone vote for this dangerous and extreme bill?"
Theodore Bunker ✉
Theodore Bunker, a Newsmax writer, has more than a decade covering news, media, and politics.