House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) said Monday that he would talk with every member of his caucus before next week’s leadership elections, as some progressives push back on his bid to become speaker.
Asked at his weekly press conference whether he had the votes locked down, Jeffries said, “I guess we’ll find out next Wednesday.”
House Democrats will hold leadership elections on Nov. 18. Jeffries said he would make his case to members based on what Democrats have done together over the past two years and what they could do in the next two.
A reporter asked about Democratic voters who have called their representatives urging them not to back Jeffries, citing his ties to the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC). A Change.org petition calling on every member of the incoming Congress to vote against Jeffries for speaker and choose a different candidate had more than 1.1 million signatures as of Nov. 9.
“We’re going to work hard to secure the 218 votes that are necessary,” Jeffries said. “It’s in the hands of the caucus right now.”
Asked whom she would support if not Jeffries, incoming progressive Melat Kiros (D-Colo.) said, “It’s not about the individual.”
One of four members-elect who spoke to reporters about their legislative agenda amid Capitol visits for new member orientation, she said the group wants to know what priorities, floor votes, and plan the caucus would bring. “What we’re demanding is an agenda,” she said.
Fellow progressive Adam Hamawy (D-N.J.) said: “We’re not withholding votes. What we’re doing is saying we’re undecided,” adding that they would not rubber-stamp anything.
Claire Valdez (D-N.Y.), said the agenda should include helping workers join unions and passing the PRO Act, a bill that would make it easier for workers to unionize. Kiros pointed to data centers and money in politics.
The fourth representative-elect was Darializa Avila Chevalier (D-N.Y.).
Asked whether any of them would object if the caucus tried to elect Jeffries by unanimous consent, Kiros said it was important to “at least have a conversation first.”
Jeffries also backed Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), whom he called “the quarterback of a team effort.” He pointed to Democratic Senate candidates backed by the group in Texas, Maine, Michigan, Iowa, Kansas, and North and South Carolina, and to races in Alaska and Mississippi that he said would soon show results. He said the outcome of the election spoke for itself.
The two leaders released a joint statement saying voters had given Democrats a mandate to address the cost of living, stop the war in Iran, expand access to affordable healthcare, and hold corrupt officials accountable.
“A new day is coming on Jan. 3. Democrats are united and ready to lead,” the statement said.
House Republicans will vote on Nov. 10 to choose their next leader. Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) is not running for minority leader. Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-La.) and Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) are both seeking the job.
Jeffries said he had “no preference” regarding the GOP vote. He said the choice belongs to the House Republican Conference. He added that he would say more about his time in leadership alongside Johnson once the leadership elections are over.
Jeffries said House Democrats would meet as a caucus on Nov. 10 for the first time since the election. He listed several early priorities for the new majority: reversing Medicaid cuts, ending the war in Iran, ending tariffs, and extending the Affordable Care Act tax credits.
He said the Democratic majority looks likely to top 260 seats. He said that what unites progressives, New Democrats, and Blue Dogs in that majority is “a shared commitment to making life more affordable for the American people.”
Joseph Lord contributed to this report.
We had a problem loading this article. Please enable javascript or use a different browser. If the issue persists, please visit our help center.