Hakeem Jeffries to lead House Democrats

Washington – Bold House Democrats ready to lead a new generation of leaders Rep. Hakeem Jeffries With long-serving House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and her team stepping down, she became the first black American to lead a major party in Congress.

show unusual party unity after them midterm election loss.

“It’s a solemn responsibility that we all inherit,” Jeffries told reporters on the eve of Wednesday’s vote. It’s about leaning forward and doing the best work we can for people.”

It’s rare for parties that lose midterm elections to reunite so easily, a contrast to the upheaval within the Republican Party that has struggled to unite. GOP leader Kevin McCarthy as the new Speaker of the House as he prepares to take control when the new Congress convenes in January.

An internal vote at Wednesday’s Democratic caucus will be held behind closed doors, and Jeffries and other top leaders are expected to win by applause without a challenger.

Led by Jeffries, who is poised to become a Democratic minority leader, the trio includes 59-year-old Massachusetts Rep. Catherine Clarke as Democratic whip and 43-year-old Pete Aguiler of California as caucus chairman. Includes lawmakers. A new team of Democratic leaders Pelosi and her Lieutenant — Maryland Majority Leader Stenny Hoyer and South Carolina Democratic Party Leader James Cliburn — Leaders in their 80s make way for the next generation.

But in many ways, as one aide put it, the trio has made a distinct transition — Jeffreys, Clarke and Aguilar have all worked together in Pelosi’s nod in junior leadership roles over the last few years. and served as the first woman to prepare the speaker’s gavel. Pelosi, of California, has led House Democrats for her past 20 years, and her colleagues gave her the title of “Chairman Emeritus” late Tuesday.

“This is an important moment for the caucuses. It’s the birth of a new generation of leadership,” said Rep. Chris Pappas, DN.H., before voting.

Democrats will be relegated to the minority in the House in the new year, but they will have some clout as the Republican majority is very thin and McCarthy’s hold over the party is expected to be weak.

The House’s two new nominees for leadership, Jeffries and McCarthy, are of the same generation but have little real relationship to speak of. Former President Donald TrumpJeffries served as House manager during Trump’s initial impeachment.

“We are still grappling with the impact of Trumpism,” Jeffries said, adding, “What Trumpism means as a force that is so destabilizing for American democracy.” .

Jeffries said he hopes to find “common ground” with Republicans “as much as possible, but will oppose their extremism if necessary.”

On the other side of the Capitol, Jeffries will partner Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, and the two New Yorkers are poised for Democratic leadership in Congress. They live about a mile (1.6 km) apart in Brooklyn.

“In my judgment, there is a group of mainstream Republicans who don’t want to go in the direction of MAGA, and Hakeem is the ideal type of guy to work with them,” Schumer said in an interview, referring to Trump’s “Make America.” Great Again” slogan.

Jeffries is sometimes met with skepticism by progressives in the party, who are seen as more moderate figures among House Democrats.

But Rep. Rashida Taraibe, a Michigan Democrat who is part of a “squad” of progressive and liberal lawmakers, said how Jeffries and his team are reaching out even though they face no challengers. He said he was encouraged by

“There’s a genuine sense that he wants to connect and collaborate with many of us,” she said.

Clark, who is running for No. 2, is scheduled to speak to colleagues Wednesday about the importance of being a unified party as the Democratic Party moves into the minority and faces Republicans.

She is seen as a coalition builder on the leadership team, with third-placed Aguilar known as a backstage conduit to centrists and Republicans.

Cliburn is now the highest-ranking black American in Congress and aims to become an aide to democracy and help a new generation transition.

Elections for Cliburn’s post and several others are due Thursday.

The rise of Jeffreys was a landmark event for black Americans, the Capitol was built with a labor force of enslaved people, its dome was later expanded during the presidency of Abraham Lincoln, and the nation’s capital during the Civil War. has become a symbol of

“Pete, Katherine, and myself are embracing what the House stands for,” Jeffries said, calling it “the institution closest to the people.”

House Democrats, who are often large and diverse “loud families,” said, “It’s good. We are always dedicated to finding the greatest common divisor.”

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Associated Press writer Michelle L. Price, of New York, contributed to this report.

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The story was modified to reflect that Jeffries is 52 instead of 57.

Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.

https://www.news4jax.com/news/politics/2022/11/30/next-generation-hakeem-jeffries-set-to-lead-house-democrats/ Hakeem Jeffries to lead House Democrats

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