Hakeem Jeffries, a New York representative, is likely to be chosen by House Democrats to succeed Nancy Pelosi as speaker, making history by electing the first Black person to head a party in Congress.
On Friday, Jeffries announced his candidacy for House Democratic leader, promising his colleagues in a letter that he would strengthen and defend them as well as increase their numbers.
For the benefit of the American people, regaining the majority in November 2024 must be our primary non-governmental priority, according to Jeffries.
The speaker wouldn’t indicate who she would back in the election on November 30 to succeed her after she revealed on Thursday that she would step down from the leadership position she has held for 20 years.
However, after declaring they would likewise step aside from their leadership positions, House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer and House Majority Whip Jim Clyburn swiftly praised Jeffries, an indication of his growing influence.
Speaking of the New York, Massachusetts, and California Democrats, Clyburn said in a statement, “Speaker Pelosi has left an indelible mark on Congress and the country. I look forward to her continued service and doing everything I can to help our new generation of Democratic leaders, which I hope will be Hakeem Jeffries, Katherine Clark, and Peter Aguilar. Hoyer predicted that Jeffries “will make history for our nation and the institution of the House.”
Jeffries, who is 52, would be a generational transition from the current trio of House Democratic leaders, who are all more than three decades his senior. In 2019, he was elected Democratic caucus chairman, making him the group’s youngest leader.
Although Jeffries praised the previous administration in his letter on Friday, he also emphasised that “more must be done to combat inflation, defend our democracy, secure reproductive freedom, welcome new Americans, promote equal protection under the law, and improve public safety throughout this country.”
He wrote, “we must chart a return to regular order,” promising his rank-and-file colleagues that he would give them more influence in the legislative process. Additionally, he stated that in these “dangerous times,” Congress must put its attention on legislation that will “fight crime” for Americans and “substantially increase the security of all Members and their families.”
The House Democratic caucus appears to be overwhelmingly supportive of Jeffries.
The head of the Congressional Black Caucus, Ohio Rep. Joyce Beatty, told AWN prior to Pelosi’s announcement that she anticipated the caucus to endorse Jeffries.
Beatty declared, “I’m very clear that I will be leading the Congressional Black Caucus in voting for Hakeem Jeffries if she withdraws.” “I don’t always speak for everyone, but I’m extremely at ease saying I think every member of the Congressional Black Caucus would vote for Hakeem Jeffries,” the speaker said.
Additionally, former Congressional Progressive Caucus chair Mark Pocan of Wisconsin supported Jeffries. Pocan told AWN, “Hakeem Jeffries visited my class, and I’m a tremendous fan of Hakeem. He is, in my opinion, quite intelligent and a wonderful choice to help the caucus reach a consensus. I believe he will be a great leader.
Democratic legislators have been speculating for months that Jeffries would succeed Pelosi if she leaves Congress. Before being elected to the New York State Assembly in 2006, the Brooklyn-born lawyer earned degrees from the State University of New York at Binghamton, Georgetown, and New York University Law School. Since being elected to Congress for the first time ten years ago, he has served the 8th District of New York. As a House manager in the first impeachment trial, Jeffries was instrumental in the Trump administration’s efforts to pass the First Step Act, a bipartisan initiative to modernise the criminal justice system. While the Biden administration was in office, he continued to influence the party’s messaging.
Some House Democrats have been eager to end the Pelosi era for a very long time. After the 2006 elections, she won the speaker’s gavel, lost it following the 2010 elections, and then regained it after the 2018 elections.
Massachusetts Rep. Seth Moulton, who has previously attempted to unseat Pelosi, told AWN that she is a historic speaker who has accomplished a great deal, but that many Democrats are ready for a new chapter.
However, whoever succeeds Pelosi will do so under the weight of her reputation as one of the most influential and divisive individuals in American politics. The Affordable Care Act, the 2008 Economic Stimulus Bill, the $1.9 trillion Coronavirus Relief Act, the $1.2 trillion Bipartisan Infrastructure Package, and most recently, the $750 billion Health Care and Tax Bill, which included the largest investment in American history to address climate change, were all passed thanks in large part to the Speaker’s efforts.
Following the 2022 midterm elections, Pelosi, who will continue to represent San Francisco in Congress, will give her successor a larger-than-expected House minority. Democrats expressed their desire for her to continue as leader.
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer clutched his chest when asked about Pelosi’s decision and said he had begged her to stay.
“I told her when she called and told me everything, I begged her to reconsider. “You must be here,” Schumer urged.
