Johnson calls Jeffries' debate challenge over government shutdown 'desperate'

House Speaker Mike Johnson called House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries' challenge to a debate on the government shutdown "desperate."

Jeffries sent a letter to Johnson on Monday requesting a prime-time, nationally televised debate, The Hill news outlet reported.

“Given the urgency of the moment and the Republican refusal to negotiate a bipartisan agreement, a debate on the House Floor will provide the American people with the transparency they deserve,” Jeffries wrote. “It will also give you an opportunity to explain your my way or the highway approach to shutting the government down, when Democratic votes are needed to resolve the impasse that exists.”

Last month, the House of Representatives passed a funding bill to avert a government shutdown, which Senate Democrats have blocked from passing. The lower chamber is out of session this week while the Senate works to negotiate an end to the shutdown.

Johnson on Monday dismissed the debate challenge, saying his colleague is making “desperate pleas for attention.”

“The House has done its job,” Johnson added. “I’m not going to let Hakeem try to pretend for these theatrics. This is a Chuck Schumer decision. The ball is in the Senate’s court now.”