Chuck Schumer and Hakeem Jeffries face a big leadership test in the shutdown fight

House and Senate Democratic leaders Hakeem Jeffries and Chuck Schumer may be at very different stages in their leadership careers.

House and Senate Democratic leaders Hakeem Jeffries and Chuck Schumer may be at very different stages in their leadership careers. But both New York Democrats have a lot to prove — and a lot to lose — in the high-stakes government shutdown battle.

For the 55-year-old Jeffries, this is his first real shutdown fight since taking the House reins from Nancy Pelosi 2 ½ years ago. While he was gearing up for a funding fight back in March, Schumer was not on board and ultimately helped Republicans keep the government open. Now, Jeffries — who has sometimes faced internal criticism for being too scripted and cautious — is fully leaning into the spending showdown with President Donald Trump and the GOP.

And the House Democratic caucus seems to be relishing in the shutdown swagger from their leader. At a closed-door caucus meeting Monday night, rank-and-file Democrats rallied behind Jeffries, giving him a pair of standing ovations as he reiterated that any deal with Republicans must include more health care funding, three members told NBC News.

“I think Hakeem is standing 100% on his own, and he is just resolute that Democrats are going to fight on behalf of the American people,” said Rep. Angie Craig, D-Minn., who is running for the Senate in 2026. “The health care notices are starting to come, the premium increases are starting to come. And, you know, Americans expect us to fight right now. And the president, he needs a deal. He’s the consummate deal maker, and he’s going to have to come get the deal."

“I’ve been saying from the start, the Senate can’t be a cheap date,” she continued.