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After the House passed the government funding bill on Wednesday night, Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries, Whip Katherine Clark and Caucus Chair Pete Aguilar released a statement saying they would continue to fight for the Affordable Care Act tax credits, a debate central to the government shutdown. "House Democrats will continue our fight to lower the high cost of living, decisively address the Republican healthcare crisis and extend the Affordable Care Act tax credits," the leaders said. The leaders called for Republicans to work with Democrats on addressing health care policies. "Over the past several weeks, a handful of Republicans claimed to be interested in addressing the healthcare crisis that they have created in America. Open Enrollment is here and the Congress must act with urgency. Now is the time for so-called traditional Republicans to join with House Democrats, sign the discharge petition and force a vote on our bill to extend the Affordable Care Act tax credits for three years," the leaders added. Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries expressed strong opposition to the government funding package that the House will vote on Wednesday night. "This fight is not over. We're just getting started. We'll fight today, we'll fight tomorrow, we'll fight this week, we'll fight next week, we'll fight this month, we'll fight next month, we'll fight until we win this battle for the American people," Jeffries said. He said the bill fails to address the expiring Affordable Care Act tax credits. "Donald Trump and Republicans made the decision to shut the government down. The longest shutdown in American history was rather do that than provide health care that's affordable to working class Americans, middle class Americans and hard working American taxpayers all across the country," he said. Jeffries said Democrats will take back the House next year. "There's only two ways that this fight will end. Only two ways, Mr. Speaker, that this fight will end: Either Republicans finally decide to extend the Affordable Care Act tax credits this year, or the American people will throw Republicans out of their jobs next year and in the speakership of Donald J. Trump once and for all, that's how this fight ends," he said. Jeffries had unlimited speaking time during the debate on the bill but only spoke for about 15 minutes. -ABC News' Lauren Peller
