Politics

US Democrats Elect Hakeem Jeffries as First Black Congressional Party Leader

Democratic lawmakers on Wednesday chose Hakeem Jeffries to succeed Nancy Pelosi as their leader in the House of Representatives, making him the first Black person ever to lead a US congressional caucus.

The 52-year-old, who has been in Democratic leadership since 2019, ran unopposed in the closed-door vote.

With Jeffries 30 years Pelosi’s junior, the New York congressman’s election marks a generational shift for the Democrats.

Pelosi announced earlier in November she would step down from her post as leader in January, when her term as speaker of the House ends and Republicans take control of the chamber after their midterm election wins.

“The hour has come for a new generation to lead the Democratic caucus,” she said in a speech on the House floor at the time.

The 82-year-old, who was first elected as congressional party leader in 2003 and became the first woman House speaker in 2007, will stay on as representative for her northern California district.

Jeffries will become leader with his party in the minority after Democrats lost control of the lower chamber in the November 8 midterm elections, giving up their two-year total control of government.

Even with a smaller majority than they had hoped for, Republicans will be able to use their new-found power to block President Joe Biden’s legislative agenda.

They have said they plan to initiate several investigations, including of Biden’s handling of the Covid pandemic and the United States’ withdrawal from Afghanistan.

Democrats, however, will keep control of the Senate, with a divided government meaning neither side will have a clear path to push through their legislative priorities.

Follow us on:

AriseNews

Recent Posts

Ten Family Members Die in Private Plane Crash in Brazil

A plane crash in Gramado, Brazil, killed ten family members, including businessman Luiz Claudio Galeazzi,…

10 minutes ago

Man Arrested in New York for Setting Woman on Fire in Brooklyn Subway

A suspect has been apprehended in Brooklyn subway after woman was set ablaze and died…

13 minutes ago

Bridge Collapse In Brazil Kills One, Spills Sulfuric Acid Into River

A Brazilian bridge collapse has killed one person and spilled sulfuric acid into the Tocantins…

19 minutes ago

Anambra Police Confirm 22 dead in Stampede as Governor Soludo Mandates Safety Protocols for Future Palliative Distributions

Governor Soludo has expressed grief over Okija stampede, urges safety-first approach for future food distribution…

23 minutes ago

Slovak PM Robert Fico Surprises Putin in Moscow, Discusses Gas Supplies and Ukraine Conflict

Slovak PM Robert Fico made a surprise visit to Moscow for gas talks with Putin,…

25 minutes ago

Nigeria Plans New Auto Industrial Park to Boost Local Manufacturing, Competitiveness

NADDC has announced plans for new auto industrial park to support local manufacturers and reduce…

27 minutes ago