Updated Apr 8, 2025 - Politics & Policy

Jeffries challenges Johnson to "one-on-one" House floor debate

Andrew Solender

Reps. Hakeem Jeffries and Mike Johnson, shaking hands in front of a leather chair and an American flag while Johnson holds a gavel. — House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries and Speaker Mike Johnson shake hands inside the House chamber after Johnson's reelection as speaker on Jan. 3. Photo: MANDEL NGAN/AFP via Getty Images

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) on Tuesday challenged Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) to a "one-on-one debate" on the House floor about Republicans' budget resolution.

Why it matters: It could happen, with Johnson telling reporters he is "happy to debate" his Democratic counterpart "anytime."

Jeffries wrote in a letter to Johnson that they should "fully and transparently explain and defend our differing budget values to the American people."
"The American people deserve the truth," he added.

State of play: Whether a vote to advance the GOP budget resolution even comes to the floor tomorrow is an open question as Johnson's path remains unclear.

House Republicans' budget hawks are up in arms over the fact that the Senate version of the bill requires a far lower threshold of cuts than the House version.
Johnson is grappling with at least a dozen House Republicans who are opposed to the bill and more who are undecided. He can only afford to lose a handful of votes.

What to watch: This dynamic would put Johnson in the difficult position of publicly defending a bill that most Democrats and many in his party oppose.

Jeffries wrote in his letter that even the Senate version of the bill would "cut Medicaid, food assistance and veterans benefits in order to provide a $7 trillion tax break that would primarily benefit wealthy billionaires like Elon Musk."

This story has been updated with additional reporting.

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Jeffries challenges Johnson to "one-on-one" House floor debate

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