Hakeem Jeffries Expected to Lead House as Speaker

Rep. Hakeem Jeffries of New York is positioned to become the first Black speaker of the House. Democrats secured a decisive victory in the midterm elections, clearing the path for the New York Democrat to assume the highest leadership role in the chamber. The floor vote for the speaker is scheduled for January 3, when the new Congress convenes.

Jeffries has served in the House since 2013, representing parts of Brooklyn. He currently serves as House minority leader, a position he has held since 2022. This role made him the first Black politician to lead either party in the House or Senate. As speaker, he would be second in the presidential line of succession, immediately following the vice president.

His career in Congress has spanned nearly 14 years. He began as a rank-and-file member focused on criminal justice policy. He later served as a top lieutenant under former Speaker Nancy Pelosi of California before rising to the leadership ranks. His ascent required securing support from a diverse and often fractious House Democratic caucus.

Jeffries stated on Tuesday night that the election resulted in a mandate for dramatic change. He said, “Things are broken. We need a Congress that puts the American people first.” He emphasized that the party must deliver on its promises to voters. The primary focus for the new Congress remains lowering costs for Americans.

Before entering politics, Jeffries worked as a lawyer in private practice. His interest in criminal justice reform began during his time helping community members through a law school legal clinic. He previously served six years in the New York State Assembly, where he worked to regulate warrantless stop-and-frisk searches by the New York City Police Department.

As a lawmaker during the first Trump administration, Jeffries led the effort to pass the bipartisan First Step Act. The bill reduced sentences for some drug crimes. The legislation required close cooperation with Jared Kushner, the president's son-in-law. Jeffries described the partnership as one that produced real results, noting that unusual coalitions are often necessary to pass legislation in Washington.

Jeffries faces questions about how to manage the legislative process with a growing number of Democratic Socialist of America-aligned members. He told The Atlantic in 2021 that he would not bend to hard-left democratic socialism. He noted that Black progressives often view systemic racism as the primary driver of inequity in America, rather than class alone. He served as an impeachment manager during the Senate trial regarding Trump's pressure campaign on Ukraine but has not committed to pursuing impeachment in the new term.