House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., declined Thursday to rule out using an approaching government funding deadline to pressure the Trump administration to end the war in Iran, leaving open the possibility that Democrats could make restrictions on military spending part of negotiations to keep the government operating.

Congress must approve new funding by Dec. 11 to prevent a partial government shutdown. During a Thursday news conference, Jeffries was asked whether Democrats would attempt to attach a provision ending the war to an appropriations measure. He did not directly answer whether he would risk a shutdown to advance that position, according to the Washington Examiner.

"We need to end the reckless and costly war of choice in Iran," Jeffries said, reiterating that Democrats had opposed the conflict from its beginning and would continue working to end it.

Jeffries also said House Democrats oppose providing the Trump administration with any additional taxpayer money for the military campaign. He argued that federal funds should instead be directed toward lowering costs for Americans, criticizing the administration and Republicans for entering a conflict that he said they had promised to avoid.

The Democratic leader referred questions about the negotiations to Rep. Rosa DeLauro, D-Conn., the ranking member of the House Appropriations Committee. DeLauro is leading discussions with appropriators from both parties in the House and Senate, working to determine which Democratic priorities can be included in a funding agreement before the deadline.

Jeffries' comments leave unresolved whether Democrats will condition their support for government funding legislation on restrictions involving the Iran war. The December deadline arrives before Democrats take control of the House in January, following their victories in last week's midterm elections.

Democrats are projected to enter the next Congress with at least 255 House seats, although 12 races remained uncalled, according to The Associated Press. Exit polling indicated that opposition to the Iran war and frustration over higher gasoline prices were among the issues contributing to Democratic gains.