As the government shutdown enters its fifth week, military veterans in Congress are sharply criticizing House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries for avoiding direct answers about whether he will forgo his paycheck amid the crisis. Reps. Gabe Evans, Mariannette Miller-Meeks, and Tom Barrett—all veterans—have openly pledged to defer their paychecks, showing solidarity with federal workers who are going unpaid. Jeffries, however, has remained evasive, sidestepping questions about his own financial commitment during the shutdown.
During a CNN interview, Jeffries was pressed about deferring his paycheck as TSA agents and other federal workers face weeks without pay, but he deflected, saying he would have more to say later. The veterans, who have all served in the military, have called the leader’s avoidance an “insult to Americans” and a sign of his detachment from the suffering caused by the shutdown. Evans, who served as a Black Hawk helicopter pilot, highlighted the real-world impact of the crisis, noting the financial strain on millions of Americans who are also struggling during the shutdown.
Miller-Meeks, a retired lieutenant colonel, argued that if Jeffries truly cared about working families, the government would already be open. Barrett, a 22-year veteran, condemned the leader for his perceived hypocrisy, stating that “this type of hypocrisy is exactly what I came to Washington to fight against.” He called on Jeffries to make a clear choice: either pay federal employees or forgo his own paycheck. As the shutdown continues to drag on, the veterans’ comments are intensifying the debate over how lawmakers should respond to the crisis, with many arguing that the situation underscores a growing divide between politicians and the American public.