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Jeffries and Becky Quick Clash Over Strategy to Extend ACA Tax Credits

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries and host Becky Quick clashed over Democrats' plan to extend Affordable Care Act tax credits, debating a three-year package versus a shorter bipartisan compromise. Quick suggested Democrats might be leveraging the lapse for political gain; Jeffries dismissed that as "ridiculous." He placed blame on Republican resistance during shutdown negotiations and argued the issue affects many Republican-led states. A Senate vote on an extension is scheduled for December.

12:19 AM, 11/23/2025Politics
Jeffries and Becky Quick Clash Over Strategy to Extend ACA Tax Credits

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries and television host Becky Quick engaged in a heated exchange over Democrats’ strategy to extend Affordable Care Act (ACA) tax credits during a recent interview. The discussion centered on whether Democrats should pursue a three-year extension or accept a shorter, potentially more bipartisan compromise.

Quick suggested Democrats might be allowing subsidies to lapse for political advantage, a claim Jeffries rejected as "ridiculous." The two sparred over which approach would best persuade Republican lawmakers to support an extension of the tax credits.

Jeffries blamed Republican resistance for the impasse, saying GOP lawmakers repeatedly refused to "take yes for an answer" during negotiations that took place while the government was shut down, which he argued explains why a deal has not been reached. Quick pressed Democrats on why they favored a three-year plan rather than a one- or two-year proposal that could attract broader support.

Quick: "If you want to get something that has a chance of passing, you need to pursue a bipartisan approach rather than return to proposals that haven't won the votes."

Jeffries: "That's absolutely a ridiculous assertion. Shame on you — shame on you for saying that because we're fighting to restore coverage and affordability for millions of Americans."

Jeffries emphasized that the debate is not merely partisan: many of the states that would be hardest hit by the expiration of ACA tax credits are led by Republican officials. He framed the effort as a "patriotic fight" to restore assistance that helps Americans access health coverage.

Last week’s funding bill, signed by President Donald Trump, reopened the government but did not secure funding for the tax credits. It did, however, set the stage for a Senate vote in December on a Democratic-backed bill to extend the subsidies.

Bottom line: The exchange highlighted sharp disagreements over tactics — whether to pursue a longer extension that Democrats favor or a shorter deal that might win bipartisan support — and signaled that a key Senate vote is forthcoming.

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