House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries said Sunday he does not support Medicare for All legislation and distanced himself from the agenda of the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA), staking out a centrist position as Democrats seek to regain control of the House ahead of the November midterms.
Appearing on NBC News’ Meet the Press, the New York Democrat was asked by host Kristen Welker about whether he backs the single-payer health care proposal, which he previously co-sponsored before ascending to the party’s top leadership post. He confirmed that he no longer supports the measure, saying, “It’s not legislation that I currently am cosponsoring or that I support.”
The remarks highlight ongoing ideological tensions between the progressive and moderate factions of the Democratic Party in a primary season that has seen several incumbent lawmakers ousted by more progressive challengers.
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Policy Positions and Party Direction
While Medicare for All has remained a cornerstone of the progressive wing—championed by figures such as independent Senator Bernie Sanders—Jeffries’ shift away from co-sponsoring such legislation underscores his distinct policy approach. His comments on the DSA further emphasized his separation from democratic socialist organizations gaining ground in select primaries. Jeffries described the caucus as a broad one that encompasses progressives, moderates, and Blue Dog Democrats, but stated that he doesn’t “support the DSA agenda as has been articulated by the DSA itself.”
He said the party’s focus should remain on reducing costs for Americans, citing groceries, gas, housing and healthcare as top priorities.
The congressman also rejected calls to abolish Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), saying that Democrats are “committed to dramatically reforming” the agency.
“Immigrant enforcement in this country should be fair, just, and humane,” Jeffries told Welker. “And clearly ICE is completely and totally out of control.”
Earlier this year, Jeffries and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer released a list of proposed changes to ICE operations, including the banning of face coverings for immigration agents, requiring visible identification, restricting enforcement near schools and churches, expanding body-camera requirements and imposing additional use-of-force standards.
Jeffries on Sunday predicted Democrats will regain the House majority in this year’s midterms and said the caucus is focused on winning at least 218 seats, while arguing that a Democratic Congress would prioritize making life “more affordable” for Americans.
“The American people want us to focus on driving down the high cost of living,” he said, adding that too many families are working hard but “can barely survive.”
Democratic National Committee Votes to Back Eliminating ICE
Jeffries’ remarks came one day after Democratic National Committee (DNC) members backed a resolution urging Democratic lawmakers to pass legislation dissolving ICE, though they approved a separate reform-focused measure by a larger margin.
DNC chair Ken Martin emphasized that official party platforms are established every four years at the national convention, while noting that Democrats remain united in opposing the Trump administration’s current approach to border and immigration enforcement.
“Our official party positions are determined at the convention every four years in our platform,” Martin said in a statement to Newsweek on Saturday. “However, clearly, the one thing that unites Democrats, regardless of their position on reform versus abolish or whatever other ways to change what’s happening, is people believe that what ICE is doing right now and CBP [U.S. Customs and Border Protection] and the federal government should stop. There has to be a better way.”
The White House sharply criticized the resolution calling for ICE’s abolition.
“Extreme radical Democrats want to abolish ICE and defund the police,” White House spokeswoman Lauren Bis told Newsweek. “Instead of trying to abolish ICE, Democrats should be thanking ICE law enforcement officers for putting their lives on the line to arrest and remove murderers, rapists, pedophiles, and gang members from American communities. Many of these criminals were released from jails by Democrat radical politicians. President Trump’s efforts to remove criminal illegal aliens from American communities is already delivering results including the lowest murder rate in 125 years.”
Jeffries Shifts Stance on Medicare for All Legislation
Medicare for All is a proposal that would replace most private health insurance with a government-run, single-payer healthcare system covering all Americans.
Supporters argue the plan would guarantee universal coverage, eliminate many out-of-pocket costs and reduce administrative expenses associated with the private insurance industry. However, critics contend that the proposal would require major tax increases and could disrupt coverage for people who currently receive insurance through employers.
Versions of the legislation have been introduced in Congress for years, most prominently by Sanders and progressive House lawmakers. While the proposal remains popular among many progressives, it has struggled to gain enough support to advance through Congress.
Welker noted that Jeffries co-sponsored Medicare for All legislation between 2013 and 2021 but has not backed more recent versions introduced during his tenure as Democratic leader.
Asked directly whether he personally supports Medicare for All, Jeffries replied: “No, as you indicated, I haven’t cosponsored the Medicare for All legislation that has been introduced over the last several years.”
When pressed on whether he would vote for the proposal, Jeffries reiterated, “I think as you’ve indicated in your question to me, it’s not legislation that I currently am cosponsoring or that I support.”
Instead, Jeffries argued Democrats should focus on making healthcare more affordable by reversing Republican-enacted Medicaid cuts and extending Affordable Care Act tax credits that he said have helped millions of Americans manage insurance costs.
Ro Khanna Breaks With Jeffries on Medicare for All
During a separate interview appearance on Meet the Press, Representative Ro Khanna, a California Democrat, told Welker he completely disagreed with Jeffries about Medicare for All, saying it is “arguably the most important priority.”
“It would save money, and it would save lives,” he added. “There was just a Yale study that came out. It would save $1 trillion in terms of cost, in terms of healthcare.”
“We know that the average income of workers is 43 percent. It’s the lowest it’s ever been since 1929. One of the reasons is because of exploding health insurance. Medicare for All would increase wages,” he continued.
Khanna said that he respected the difference, but said a vote was needed on the House floor.
“The majority of the House Democrats are going to support it. It is one of the most important policies if you actually believe in saving lives and in helping increase wages for working class Americans,” he explained. “This would save money for ordinary Americans. And it would increase their wages. It’s the single biggest roadblock in our economic system hurting working families.”
Contact Newsweek editors for this story: Steve Mollman and Anthony Murray.