Hakeem Jeffries Elected To Lead House Dems' Next Generation
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Hakeem Jeffries to Succeed Pelosi as Democratic House Leader
Last updated Dec 05, 2022
Image credit: Getty Images [via The Wall Street Journal]Facts
- For the incoming 118th Congress, House Democrats elected NY Rep. Hakeem Jeffries as their party leader in the lower chamber. Katherine Clark (D-Mass.) and Pete Aguilar (D-Calif.) will join Jeffries as the newly-elected House minority whip and chair of the Democratic Caucus, respectively.[1]
- Jeffries ran unopposed and was elected by acclamation, making him the first Black leader of either party in either chamber. Reps. Steny Hoyer (D-Md.) and Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) considered opposing him but later dropped out, with Schiff reportedly considering a Senate run.[2]
- Jeffries, 52, will represent a new generation of leadership as he succeeds House Speaker Nancy Pelosi who, along with current House Minority Leader Hoyer and House Majority Whip Jim Clyburn (D-S.C.), are around 30 years his senior.[3]
- Though Pelosi will remain on as a rank-and-file member of the House, Jeffries said, "She’s not going to be the type of individual that’s looking over the shoulders of those leaders that she just helped to elevate."[4]
- Though Republicans will have the majority after a slim win in the midterms, Jeffries will have a significant role in bipartisan legislative efforts if the GOP faces potential defectors from right-leaning members.[5]
- The new leadership trio will also have to deal with the party's progressive wing, including Rep. Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.), with whom Jeffries has clashed due to her past endorsements of opponents to moderate Democrats.[1]
Spin
Democratic narrative
Not only will Jeffries enter his historic role at the helm of a unified party, but he'll also enjoy a 118th Congress facing only a slim opposition majority. Beginning from a point of strength will help Jeffries fight the growing Trumpism in the Republican party. He is a perfect choice to lead a new generation of Democrats in the House.
Republican narrative
Jeffries is as divisive as they come, exemplifying which direction Democrats want to take the country. As a man who labeled his political opponents as racists without a shred of evidence, the term "unity" is the last word that comes to mind regarding their party's so-called "newest generation of leadership."
