Jeffries warns GOP will 'own any harm' from government shutdown amid outcry over spending bill

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries on Wednesday warned Republicans that they would "now own any harm" that falls on Americans if the federal government shuts down this weekend.

Congressional leadership unveiled a massive 1,547-paged spending bill on Tuesday night that would keep the government funded through March 14. But the sprawling legislation has faced serious criticism from conservatives hoping to reign in federal spending, including President-elect Donald Trump and Vice President-elect JD Vance.

House Speaker Mike Johnson is reportedly considering an alternative bill that would trim some of the major expenditures, like the $100 billion for disaster aid. But Jeffries said Democrats would oppose any new proposals that stray from the agreement.

“House Republicans have been ordered to shut down the government. And hurt the working class Americans they claim to support,” Jeffries posted on X. “You break the bipartisan agreement, you own the consequences that follow.”

The minority leader also told reporters at the Capitol that Republicans will be responsible for hurting Americans because an agreement with Democrats was already in place, according to the Associated Press.

“House Republicans will now own any harm that is visited on the American people that results from a government shutdown, or worse," Jeffries said. “An agreement is an agreement. It was bipartisan, and there’s nothing more to say.”

Congress has until midnight on Friday to approve a spending bill that would keep the government funded for the remainder of the year. But the House is not expected to vote on the package until Thursday, which would likely push the Senate vote to Friday or Saturday. 

Misty Severi is an evening news reporter for Just The News. You can follow her on X for more coverage.