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Leavitt and Jeffries trade barbs over political violence and shutdown

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  Published in Politics and Government on Saturday, October 18th 2025 at 13:01 GMT by Washington Examiner
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Leavitt and Jeffries Exchange Barbs on Political Violence, Government Shutdown

The political discourse surrounding a potential government shutdown intensified this week with a sharp exchange between Representative Kevin Leavitt (R-CO) and Judiciary Committee ranking member Rep. Jerry Nadler (D-NY). The confrontation, which occurred during a House Rules Committee hearing concerning a continuing resolution to fund the government through November 17th, centered on accusations of inciting political violence and critiques of each party’s approach to averting a shutdown.

Leavitt initiated the conflict by accusing Nadler of employing rhetoric that could be interpreted as encouraging violence against elected officials. This stemmed from Nadler's previous statements regarding those he deemed responsible for obstructing the continuing resolution, specifically referencing individuals who "should be ashamed" and whose actions are “destructive.” Leavitt argued these words crossed a line, potentially inspiring harmful action. He cited concerns about escalating political tensions and the safety of members of Congress, particularly given recent incidents of threats and harassment directed at lawmakers.

Nadler responded forcefully, accusing Leavitt of misrepresenting his comments and engaging in a cynical attempt to deflect from the Republican party’s strategy regarding government funding. Nadler maintained that his remarks were critical of political actions, not personal attacks intended to incite violence. He emphasized the seriousness of the potential consequences of a government shutdown – impacting essential services like food assistance programs, military readiness, and disaster relief – and argued that Republicans are prioritizing partisan objectives over the well-being of Americans.

The Rules Committee hearing itself was focused on establishing guidelines for debate and amendments related to the continuing resolution (CR). The CR aims to temporarily extend funding for government agencies facing a shutdown deadline at the end of September. House Speaker Kevin McCarthy has proposed a shorter CR, linking spending cuts to extending funding, a move opposed by Democrats who argue it would disproportionately harm vulnerable populations and undermine vital programs. [ https://www.foxnews.com/politics/house-gop-plans-short-term-spending-bill-with-democrats-opposing ]

The debate extended beyond the immediate issue of the continuing resolution, touching on broader concerns about the increasingly polarized political climate. Leavitt’s accusation highlighted a growing anxiety among some lawmakers regarding the potential for rhetoric to escalate into real-world violence. This concern has been amplified by instances of threats against elected officials and heightened security measures surrounding congressional buildings. The January 6th Capitol attack remains a stark reminder of the fragility of democratic institutions and the dangers of unchecked political animosity.

Nadler, in turn, accused Republicans of using the threat of a government shutdown as a political weapon to extract concessions on spending priorities. He argued that their insistence on deep cuts to social programs and other essential services demonstrated a lack of concern for the impact on ordinary Americans. He pointed to potential disruptions in federal assistance programs like Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), as well as delays in veterans’ benefits and passport processing, as examples of the harm that would result from a shutdown.

The Washington Examiner article notes that this exchange is part of a larger pattern of increasingly heated rhetoric between Republicans and Democrats in Congress. The disagreement over government funding has become deeply entrenched, with both parties accusing each other of political grandstanding and prioritizing partisan agendas over responsible governance. The current impasse reflects fundamental differences in philosophies regarding the role of government and the appropriate level of spending on social programs.

Further complicating the situation is the looming deadline for a vote to raise the debt ceiling. [https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/politics/house/3854972/debt-ceiling-vote-republicans-democrats-spending-cuts/] While separate from the continuing resolution, the debt ceiling debate adds another layer of uncertainty and potential conflict to the legislative agenda. A failure to raise the debt ceiling could have catastrophic consequences for the U.S. economy, further incentivizing both parties to find a compromise on spending issues.

The Rules Committee ultimately approved the continuing resolution with guidelines for debate, setting the stage for a vote by the full House. However, the contentious exchange between Leavitt and Nadler underscored the deep divisions that remain within Congress and the challenges of finding common ground in an increasingly polarized political environment. The outcome of the upcoming vote remains uncertain, but the potential for a government shutdown – and the accompanying disruption to essential services – continues to loom large.