Jeffries defends Schumer as shutdown deal talks continue

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-Brooklyn) on Monday rose to Senate Minority Leader’s Chuck Schumer’s defense when asked about some Democrats attacking Schumer as an ineffective party leader in the wake of the deal to reopen government without language to extend Obamacare subsidies.

"I certainly believe that Senate Democrats, the overwhelming majority of Senate Democrats, led by Chuck Schumer, have waged a valiant fight over the last seven weeks, defeating the partisan Republican spending bill 14 of 15 different times, week after week, and continue to oppose this effort of passing legislation that does not address the Republican health care crisis,” Jeffries said.

One reporter pointedly noted to Jeffries: “Some Democrats in your own caucus are suggesting Schumer is ineffective as Senate Democratic leader and should be replaced. You, of course, are critical of this deal.

"Do you view him as effective, and should he keep the job?," the reporter asked.

"Yes and yes," replied Jeffries, who, like Schumer, is from Brooklyn.