House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) on Wednesday walked back his agreement to debate House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) on C-SPAN’s “Ceasefire” program.
Johnson originally told the network he’d “love” to debate Jeffries on air, but later said the agreement was conditional.
“I’ll debate Hakeem Jeffries anywhere, anytime — as soon as we get the government open,” Johnson told America Reports anchor Sandra Smith.
“He’s engaging in political theater and stating absurd things,” he added.
Last week, Jeffries challenged Johnson to a prime-time televised debate in an offer that the Louisiana Republican quickly rejected.
“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 in an open letter to Johnson last Monday.
“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,” he added.
Johnson originally pegged the opportunity as “desperate pleas for attention.”
“The House has done its job. 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,” Johnson added.
But the tables turned last Thursday, when C-SPAN invited Johnson to engage in a discussion with a Democrat of his choosing during Politico's Dasha Burn's show, which aims to bring leaders of opposing viewpoints to discuss the issues of the day.
The House Speaker identified Jeffries as a worthy opponent, causing the network to push out a release, highlighting the two’s face off during a date to be determined.
"I'll sit down with Hakeem Jeffries, my counterpart," Johnson told the outlet. "I'd love to."
Johnson, on Wednesday, echoed his previous criticism of Democrats, blaming them for the shutdown.
“We have to serve the American people. It’s Hakeem and the Democrats who are making that not happen,” he added.
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