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Rep. Hakeem Jeffries on Monday laid out an aggressive agenda for House Democrats as the party prepares to take control of the chamber following sweeping midterm election victories, declaring that Democrats will "not give a dime" toward funding the Trump administration's deportation efforts.
The House minority leader made the remarks during a press conference, one week before Democrats are set to vote on whether Jeffries should remain in his leadership position.
"The American people clearly and decisively rejected MAGA extremism on Tuesday and voted for dramatic change," Jeffries said.
"House Democrats have taken the position that we're not going to give a dime to the administration's violent mass deportation machine," he added.
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Jeffries also criticized the use of taxpayer dollars to support what he called "un-American" policies under President Donald Trump.
"Taxpayer dollars should be used to make life more affordable for the American people, not brutalize or kill American citizens, and violently target law-abiding immigrant communities and families, which is what has happened over the last two years," Jeffries said.
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He added that he hopes to secure one additional signature on a discharge petition that would bypass House leadership and force a floor vote on the American Dream and Promise Act, which would provide permanent legal status and a pathway to citizenship for Dreamers and recipients of Temporary Protected Status (TPS).
"Hopefully some of our colleagues on the other side of the aisle will be willing to do that work, perhaps beginning with one additional signature that we need to force a vote on the Dream and Promise Act from a Republican," he said.
Among other priorities, Jeffries said Democrats want to pass legislation banning members of the House and Senate from trading stocks, an effort aimed at restoring public trust in government.
He also voiced support for an impeachment resolution against Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth over his handling of the war in Iran and alleged constitutional violations.
"I'm a hard yes, as I've made clear, on the impeachment resolution. Pete Hegseth has abused his power, undermined America's national security, and he's the architect of the reckless and costly failed war of choice in Iran, which has skyrocketed gas prices on everyday Americans, made the country less safe," Jeffries said.
"Iran is stronger now than they were before," he argued.
As the Democratic caucus leadership vote approaches next Wednesday, reporters asked Jeffries whether he was concerned about progressive members who have criticized him for not taking a more aggressive approach during his tenure as leader.
Jeffries said he plans to speak with every member of the caucus in an effort to retain his position.
"I'm going to work hard to talk to every single member about what we've been able to do together over the last two years, and what the opportunities are for us to do together in the next two years," he said.
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