Hakeem Jeffries Makes History As 1st Black Party Leader In Congress - Types Of Gardening

House Democrats nominate Hakeem Jeffries to succeed Nancy Pelosi

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On Wednesday, House Democrats elected a new, historic generation of leaders.

Rep. Hakeem Jeffries of New York will succeed Nancy Pelosi as leader of the Democratic Group.

Jeffries, 52, becomes the first black lawmaker to lead a party in Congress.

© J. Scott Applewhite/AP Hakeem Jeffries arrives on Capitol Hill in Washington on November 30, 2022 for the leadership election in which he is expected to become the top-ranked Democrat in the House of Representatives if Nancy Pelosi steps down as Speaker.

The whip will be a woman, Massachusetts' Kathryn Clark, and California's Pete Aguilar, who is No. 3, will become the highest-ranking Hispanic in Congress after being promoted from its highest seat on Jan. 6. .

© Drew Angerer/Getty Images Catherine Clark arrives for a campaign committee meeting with Democrats at the Longworth House office building on Capitol Hill on November 30, 2022 in Washington, DC.

The elections took place behind closed doors, with members voting in secret. All three came without resistance.

In a statement following his election, Jeffries said he and his newly elected colleagues would inherit their roles as predecessors on the balcony and operate with the "seriousness and solemnity" of the current political moment.

"I am honored to accept this honor along with my friends and colleagues in government, new Democratic Party Co-Chair Catherine Clarke and new Group Leader Pete Aguilar. "Catherine represents another significant break in the glass ceiling in the tradition of President Pelosis," he said. said: "He lets us all see and hear, and he will work tirelessly to support our group of Democrats. I've seen Pete get people to get things done by rolling up his sleeves like only a former mayor can. Catherine, Pete and I will work closely together to fight for ordinary Americans.”

© Olivier Dulier/AFP via Getty Images FILE Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi greets Speaker of the House Hakeem Jeffries after a speech on the floor of the House of Representatives in Washington November 17, 2022.

Pelosi issued a statement congratulating her successor, as well as Clark and Aguilar.

“Congratulations to Leader-Elect Hakeem Jeffries, Leader-Elect Kathryn Clark, and President-Elect Pete Aguilar. Collectively, this new generation of leaders reflects the brilliance and diversity of our great nation, and they will infuse our gathering with their renewed energy. "With the full confidence of our members, our new leaders are well-armed to continue the Democrats' fight for working families and to protect democracy," he said.

Ahead of the Senate election, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer pointed to the "important" and historic nature of the newly elected leadership. .

“The nomination of Hakeem Jeffries to the House of Representatives is a turning point in the history of the US Congress. Never before has an African-American or black leader claimed the top spot in either party. palaces," he said. .

MORE: Jeffries, potential successor to Pelosis, says individuals can have 'great conversations' and still come together

The arrival of the new leadership follows Pelosi's announcement before Thanksgiving that she intends to step down after 20 years in office. In comments ahead of announcing his decision, the 82-year-old leader said he wanted to pave the way for a "new generation" of control in the Democratic Party.

House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, 83, and House Majority Leader Jim Clyburn, 82, also announced they would be stepping down shortly after Pelosi's announcement.

"It's time for a new generation to lead a group of Democrats that I deeply respect," he said.

© Andrew Harnick/AP, FILE Rep. Pete Aguilar walks past the office of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi on Capitol Hill in Washington November 17, 2022. MORE: Pelosi resigns as House Democrat leader.

Jeffries with Clarke, 59; and Aguilar, 43, marks a generational shift in the top seats of the Democratic House of Representatives.

Schumer sentimentally celebrated the changing of the guard on Wednesday, before taking a moment to congratulate a Brooklyn friend she's known for years.

“Tonight's action is unlike anything we've seen before. On the one hand, it means the end of the luxury era. My dear friend, speaker Nancy Pelosi has decided to step down from the leadership. We will never see people like President Pelosi again. all our life. But his potential successor will go down in history himself," he began.

"I've known Hakeem Jeffries since he was first elected to the New York State Assembly in 2006. When I first met her, I thought how and when I first met President Pelosi, this is her."

The White House congratulated Jeffries on his historic new role.

"I have to say the President sends his warmest congratulations to his friend, Congressman Jeffries, as he celebrates the very important milestone of becoming the first black leader of either party in both houses of Congress," White House Press Secretary Karin said. . Jean-Pierre. That's what Elizabeth Schulze of ABC News said at a daily press conference.

The 118th Congress will not be sworn in until January. Republicans are expected to regain control of the House of Representatives, which will be led by House Speaker Kevin McCarthy following the Republican nomination for President.

Jeffries said in a statement after his election that he was willing to work with Republicans while continuing to fight for his party's priorities.

“We will continue to put people above politics and fight for all our values. House Democrats will uplift working class families, the middle class and those who want to be a part of it: young and old, veterans, the poor, the disadvantaged. Sick and suffering and the youngest, lost and abandoned," the statement said.

"We will seek common ground with Republicans where possible, but if necessary we will confront extremism across the aisle."

Congressman Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) on leadership and politics