Top House Democrat Hakeem Jeffries turns on Medicare for All: ‘It’s not legislation that I currently am cosponsoring or that I support’
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries said that he does not support Medicare for All legislation and distanced himself from the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA), taking a centrist position as Democrats seek to regain control of the House ahead of the November midterm elections. He said, “It’s not legislation that I currently am cosponsoring or that I support”
Appearing on NBC News’ Meet the Press, the New York Democrat was asked by host Kristen Welker whether he personally supported the single-payer health care proposal, which he had previously co-sponsored before becoming the party’s top House leader.
Jeffries responded, “No, I — as you indicated, I haven’t cosponsored the Medicare for All legislation that has been introduced over the last several years.”
He added, “I do think we need to figure out how to fix our broken health care system and then build something better once we repair the damage that has been done.”
Jeffries explains his shift on Medicare for All
Congressional records show Jeffries co-sponsored the Medicare for All Act of 2019 and the 2021 version of the bill. However, he did not join the additional House sponsors when Representatives Pramila Jayapal and Debbie Dingell reintroduced the legislation as H.R. 3069 in April 2025.
A New York City DSA health care organizing group previously credited its campaign with helping secure Jeffries’ 2019 support, though it noted that his backing was limited because he also supported Medicare X, a public-option alternative.
As Democratic leader, Jeffries said Medicare for All is not legislation he supports but argued Democrats should focus on repairing the existing system and making coverage more affordable.
He said Democrats should prioritize reversing Republican Medicaid cuts and extending Affordable Care Act tax credits that have helped millions of Americans manage insurance costs.
Jeffries rejects the DSA platform
Welker also questioned Jeffries about whether democratic socialists belong within the Democratic Party.
Jeffries rejected the DSA’s broader agenda while acknowledging that candidates who win Democratic primaries would remain part of the party’s House caucus.
He said, “You’re going to have individual members who have been elected in Democratic primaries and if they are elected in the general in November, will be part of the House Democratic Caucus. It’s going to be a broad caucus. There will be progressives. There will be New Dems. There will be Blue Dogs.”
His comments came amid a series of progressive primary victories that have intensified debates over the Democratic Party’s future direction.
Ro Khanna breaks with Jeffries on Medicare for All
Representative Ro Khanna of California, who also appeared on Meet the Press, disagreed with Jeffries and called Medicare for All “arguably the most important priority.”
Khanna cited a Yale University study estimating that the policy could save about $1 trillion in health care costs. He argued that rising insurance premiums and stagnant wages strengthened the case for a single-payer system.
While saying he respected Jeffries’ position, Khanna argued that Congress should hold a vote, predicting most House Democrats would support the proposal if given the opportunity.
DNC divisions over ICE resolution
Jeffries’ comments came one day after Democratic National Committee members voted on competing resolutions involving Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) during the party’s summer meeting in Austin, Texas.
A resolution calling for Congress to abolish ICE, introduced by DNC committeewoman Michele Johnson of Louisiana, passed through committee 25-12. A competing resolution calling for ICE reform also advanced before both measures were approved by the full membership through a voice vote.
An amendment from Idaho DNC member Terri Pickens that would have changed the language from “abolishing” ICE to “completely restructuring” the agency was withdrawn before the vote.
Minnesota DNC vice chair Marge Hoffa opposed the abolition resolution, arguing Democrats should not “contradict ourselves by also introducing a resolution that would now call to abolish something that we have a well-established track record of calling to be drastically reformed.”
The Republican National Committee criticized the vote afterward. RNC Chairman Joe Gruters accused Democrats of caring “more about protecting violent illegal aliens than American families” and said Republicans would use the issue against them in elections.
White House spokeswoman Lauren Bis told Newsweek that “extreme radical Democrats want to abolish ICE and defund the police,” while crediting the Trump administration’s immigration policies with contributing to the lowest murder rate in 125 years.
DNC Chairman Ken Martin downplayed the significance of the vote, noting that official party platforms are not adopted until the 2028 national convention. He said Democrats remain united in opposing the administration’s immigration enforcement approach.
Democrats face a midterm test
Welker opened the broadcast by noting that the country was 79 days away from the midterm elections and that both parties faced questions about unity.
The discussion included Politico journalist Jonathan Martin, former Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson and Republican strategist Sara Fagen.
Jeffries used the appearance to argue that if Democrats regain the House majority, they would focus on lowering costs for groceries, gas, housing and health care rather than pursuing the broader structural changes favored by the party’s progressive wing.