The U.S. Congress experienced tension the day before yesterday after two House members engaged in a heated verbal dispute on the eighth day of the government shutdown.

Republican Congressman from New York and House Minority Leader Mike Lawler confronted Democratic Congressman from New York, Hakeem Jeffries, outside the latter’s press conference regarding a bipartisan settlement on increasing support for the “Obamacare” program, a key point of contention in the federal funding dispute.

Lawler mocked Jeffries about whether he would support Democrat Zehran Mamdani for New York City mayor, to which Jeffries did not respond.

Jeffries replied, “First, I am not accountable to you. And you are not even accountable to yourself,” and the heated discussion began with the Republican challenging Jeffries to sign a bipartisan bill extending pandemic-era enhancements for one year.

These enhancements are set to expire at the end of 2025 without Congressional action, and Democrats are demanding this issue be addressed before agreeing to a federal funding bill to end the shutdown.

Lawler asked, “We have a one-year extension, why not sign now?” Jeffries angrily responded, “Did you get permission from your leader (Donald Trump)? Did your leader give you permission?” Lawler angrily replied, “He is not my leader.”

The two men spoke for about five minutes, interrupting each other and accusing the other’s party of obstructing the government. Jeffries said, “You are an embarrassment,” before confronting Lawler for voting in favor of Trump’s massive bill, the “Big Beautiful One Project” law.

The Democratic leader said, “I voted for the tax cut bill that granted the largest tax cut in American history, including, by the way, an average New Yorker receiving a $4,000 tax cut.”

Lawler asked, “Are you against that?” Jeffries replied, “You embarrass yourself. The biggest cut in the healthcare program in American history – you voted for it.”

The House Democratic leader pointed his finger at Lawler’s chest, saying, “You will not talk to me, nor discuss with me, because you do not want to hear what I say. So why don’t you be quiet?” Reported by “Fox News”.