LEADER JEFFRIES ON GMA: “COSTS ARE GOING TO CONTINUE TO GO UP AND THE AMERICAN PEOPLE WILL BE HURT”

LEADER JEFFRIES ON GMA: “COSTS ARE GOING TO CONTINUE TO GO UP AND THE AMERICAN PEOPLE WILL BE HURT” – Congressman Hakeem JeffriesSkip to contentSearch SUBMIT Congressman Hakeem JeffriesSearchMenu ToggleAboutContactEmail MeRequest a MeetingInvite Me to SpeakOfficesNewsletter and Text Update SubscriptionReport a Website ProblemServicesCongressional App ChallengeCongressional Art CompetitionFY26 Appropriations Requests (CPF & Programmatic)Congressional CommendationsFlagsHelp with a Federal AgencyMilitary Academy NominationsTours and Tickets2025 Inauguration TicketsPeople Over PoliticsAffordable InternetDelivering for Those Who ServedLower Prescription Drug CostsTackling the Student Loan Debt CrisisLegislationCommittees and CaucusesSponsored LegislationVoting RecordMedia CenterPress ReleasesVideosEventsResourcesCOVID-19 Information and ResourcesFree Tax Preparation & FilingFor BusinessFor InternshipsFor Military PersonnelFor VeteransFor Senior CitizensFor StudentsAdditional Services and ResourcesAboutContactEmail MeRequest a MeetingInvite Me to SpeakOfficesNewsletter and Text Update SubscriptionReport a Website ProblemServicesAppropriations RequestsFY26 Appropriations Requests (CPF & Programmatic)Congressional App ChallengeCongressional Art CompetitionCongressional CommendationsFlagsHelp with a Federal AgencyMilitary Academy NominationsTours and Tickets2025 Inauguration TicketsPeople Over PoliticsAffordable InternetBringing Manufacturing Jobs to AmericaDelivering for Those Who ServedLow Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) Lower Prescription Drug CostsSocial Security and MedicareTackling the Student Loan Debt CrisisProtecting Reproductive RightsCongressman Hakeem JeffriesLegislationSponsored LegislationVoting RecordCommittees and CaucusesMedia CenterPress ReleasesVideosEventsResourcesCOVID-19 Information and ResourcesFederal GrantsFree Tax Preparation & FilingFor BusinessFor InternshipsFor Military PersonnelFor VeteransFor Senior CitizensFor StudentsAdditional Services and ResourcesSearch LEADER JEFFRIES ON GMA: “COSTS ARE GOING TO CONTINUE TO GO UP AND THE AMERICAN PEOPLE WILL BE HURT” FacebookTwitterInstagramYouTube March 5th, 2025 | Press Release LEADER JEFFRIES ON GMA: “COSTS ARE GOING TO CONTINUE TO GO UP AND THE AMERICAN PEOPLE WILL BE HURT” Washington, DC – Today, Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries appeared on Good Morning America with George Stephanopoulos where he emphasized that while Donald Trump promised to lower costs on day one, he gave no concrete plans in his Joint Session Speech to do so.GEORGE STEPHANOPOULOS: Let’s hear now from the House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries. You just heard the Speaker there, Mr. Jeffries. What’s your response to him saying that you’re making demands that are unprecedented to keep the government open?LEADER JEFFRIES: We want to make sure that the government remains open, and that we can agree upon a spending bill that meets the needs of the American people in terms of their health, their safety, our national security and their economic well-being. And when Congress appropriates the money, the administration, whether it’s a Democratic administration or a Republican administration, needs to spend that money consistent with improving the lives of the American people. That’s not unreasonable. That’s entirely reasonable.GEORGE STEPHANOPOULOS: Is that a bottom line demand? That Democrats will not vote for the continuing resolution unless they’re assured the President will spend the money that is appropriated?LEADER JEFFRIES: Well, those discussions are ongoing. Rosa DeLauro is the top Democrat on the Appropriations Committee. She continues to sit down in good faith to try and reach an agreement over the next few days, and we certainly hope that that can happen.GEORGE STEPHANOPOULOS: How about—were you comfortable with Al Green, Congressman Al Green and his interrupting of the President and other moves you saw from Democrats yesterday? You heard Speaker Johnson there say that Democrats were not showing decorum.LEADER JEFFRIES: The vast majority of Democrats showed restraint, listened to what the president had to say and, of course, we strongly disagree. The biggest problem that I had with the speech is that there was nothing said, nothing laid out, nothing articulated by Donald Trump to meet the needs of the American people, particularly as it relates to the economy. Donald Trump promised to lower costs. In fact, he promised to lower costs on day one. We know that grocery prices aren’t going down. They’re going up. Inflation is going up. And the stock market is going down, which is hurting the retirement security of everyday Americans.GEORGE STEPHANOPOULOS: You heard Speaker Johnson there. He said tariffs have worked in the past, they’re going to work again.LEADER JEFFRIES: Tariffs against our North American allies and others that are being applied in a ham-handed fashion are going to further erode the economy. And we’re seeing the consequences of Trump’s inattention in action and now his direct assault on a stable economy by enacting these tariffs. Costs are going to continue to go up and the American people will be hurt.GEORGE STEPHANOPOULOS: Did Democrats hear anything from the President last night that they can support?LEADER JEFFRIES: I was struggling to hear anything relative to what the President had to say in terms of bringing the country together. That was one of the most partisan and divisive speeches ever delivered by an American president. And that’s unfortunate. We will continue to try to solve problems for everyday Americans. We want to make life better for every single American, in every community, in every corner of this country. But it’s unfortunate that our Republican colleagues seem more determined to pass a massive tax cut for their billionaire donors, while at the same time cutting Medicaid, perhaps in the largest possible fashion ever in this country.GEORGE STEPHANOPOULOS: You also heard the Speaker there say that these protests that many Republicans and some Democrats are seeing in their district to the cuts by DOGE and Elon Musk are by paid protesters?LEADER JEFFRIES: Republicans are proposing the largest Medicaid cut in American history, George. Children will be devastated. Families will be devastated. People with disabilities will be devastated. Seniors will be devastated. Nursing homes will close and hospitals will shut down. The American people are upset about the effort to take away their health care. These aren’t paid protesters. These are concerned citizens. The Republicans can try to run away from their extreme budget. We will not let them hide.GEORGE STEPHANOPOULOS: Congressman Jeffries, thanks for your time this morning.Full interview can be watched here. ### Back to News Share: FacebookTwitterNewsletter Sign UpSubscribe to our e-newsletter that provides updates on important issues, my work in the Congress and what's happening in our district.EmailSubmitBill SearchPlease select and optionCurrent LegislationAll LegislationAll Sources--MembersCongressional RecordCommittee ReportsNominationsSearch for a billSubmit QueryOffice LocationsWashington, DC Office 2267 Rayburn House Office Building Washington, DC 20515 Phone: (202) 225-5936 Hours: M-F 9 am - 5 pm Central Brooklyn District Office 55 Hanson Place Suite 603 Brooklyn, NY 11217 Phone: (718) 237-2211 Hours: M-F 9am - 5pm South Brooklyn District Office 445 Neptune Avenue, 1st Floor Community Room 2C Brooklyn, NY 11224 Phone: (718) 373-0033 Hours: M-F 9am - 5pm ToolsAccessibilityPrivacyCopyright Know Your Immigration RightsIf you or a loved one encounter immigration enforcement officials, it is essential that you know your rights and have prepared your household for all possible outcomes.Ask for a warrant: The Fourth Amendment of the Constitution protects you from unreasonable search and seizure. You do not have to open your door until you see a valid warrant to enter your home or search your belongings.Your right to remain silent: The Fifth Amendment protects your right to remain silent and not incriminate yourself. You are not required to share any personal information such as your place of birth, immigration status or criminal history.Always consult an attorney: You have a right to speak with an attorney. You do not have to sign anything or hand officials any documents without speaking to an attorney. Try to identify and consult one in advance.The New York City Office of Civil Justice and the Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs (MOIA) support a variety of free immigration legal services through local nonprofit legal organizations. To access these resources, dial 311 and say “Action NYC,” call the MOIA Immigration Legal Support Hotline at 800-354-0365 Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. or visit MOIA’s website.Learn more here: KNOW YOUR IMMIGRATION RIGHTS  – Congressman Hakeem Jeffries ×