House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) publicly reaffirmed his support for Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer on Monday, despite rising criticism from grassroots activists and some House Democrats over Schumer’s inability to prevent a group of Senate Democrats from advancing a deal to reopen the government.

Jeffries emphasized that Schumer personally voted against advancing the deal and described him as leading the majority of Senate Democrats in a “valiant fight” over the past seven weeks. He declined to comment on the eight senators who supported the deal, saying, “That’s their explanation to offer to the American people.”

Progressive and centrist House Democrats have been more critical publicly, with Rep. Jared Moskowitz (D-Fla.) mocking Schumer on X. Meanwhile, some moderates, like Rep. Henry Cuellar (D-Texas), praised the deal as meaningful progress toward compromise, Axios has reported.

Jeffries indicated the House Democratic caucus will discuss strategy at a 3 p.m. ET meeting, including whether to whip votes against the bill, but he did not elaborate on potential consequences for members who support the deal.