Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., right, talk with reporters following their meeting with President Donald Trump and Republican leaders on the government funding crisis, at the Capitol in Washington, Monday, Sept. 29, 2025. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)
"I understand the sacrifice that people are making, including Capitol Police officers here, and I'm going to conduct myself accordingly given that sacrifice," Jeffries added, to which the CNN host pressed, "So, that sounds like a yes, that you will defer your paycheck?"
Jeffries answered, "Well, I'll have more to say about that shortly, but I think consistent with the values that I just articulated."
In response, Evans, who served as a Black Hawk helicopter pilot, called Jeffries’ dodge an "insult to Americans" that "just reiterates their unserious and irresponsible legislating and proves how out of touch they are from those they are supposed to serve."
HOUSE GOP BLOCKS DEMS' MILITARY PAY BILL AS GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN THREATENS CHECKS
A military member watches at the southern border. (Reuters )
"Hakeem Jeffries is so out of touch that he thinks he should be compensated for shutting down the government and causing the American people to suffer," added Barrett, a 22-year veteran.
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"This type of hypocrisy is exactly what I came to Washington to fight against," he said. "It’s time for him to drop this ‘rules for thee and not for me’ attitude and make a decision: pay our federal employees or pass on his paycheck like the rest of us."
Fox News Digital reached out to Jeffries' office for a response but did not receive a comment by the time of publication.
Peter Pinedo is a politics writer for Fox News Digital.
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https://www.foxnews.com/politics/house-military-veterans-rip-jeffries-taking-pay-during-shutdown-insult-americans