Jeffries punts on possible punishment for Dem defectors

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Today's Top Stories - September 17, 2026

Today's Top Stories - September 17, 2026

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) is staying mum on the thorny question of whether Democratic defectors should face repercussions. 

“I’ll have more to say … about the situation when we have more to say about the situation,” Jeffries told reporters Thursday in the Capitol. 

A pair of centrist Democrats — Reps. Jared Golden (Maine) and Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (Wash.) — have crossed the aisle on two occasions in recent weeks to help rescue the Republicans’ legislative agenda heading into the midterm elections. 

The votes have infuriated Democratic leaders and rank-and-file members, who have centered their campaign message on affordability and were frustrated that members of their own party helped to bring other topics to the floor that might hurt battleground Democrats at the polls.

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