Representative Hakeem Jeffries of New York will succeed Nancy Pelosi as leader of the Democrats in the House of Representatives.
The move marks the emergence of a new leadership within the Democratic hosts, integrated among others by Katherine Clark (D-MA) and Pete Aguilar (D-CA). And it comes after Nancy Pelosi (D-CA), 82, and Steny Hoyer (D-MD), 83, announced their plans to step down from their leadership roles, but without leaving Congress.
Jeffries, 52, will make history as the first African-American lawmaker elected to lead a party in Congress. The New York Democrat has been described by several of his colleagues as a person capable of serving as a bridge between generations and between different tendencies within his party.
In a statement, Jeffries said that he and his newly elected colleagues will inherit the roles of their “iconic” predecessors and work with “seriousness and solemnity” in the current political moment. “I am particularly honored to accept this honor along with my friends and partners in leadership,” he said.
“This new generation of leaders reflects the vitality and diversity of our great nation, and they will reinvigorate our Caucus with their new energy, ideas and perspectives. Now, with the full confidence of our members, our new leaders are well prepared to continue the Democrats’ fight for working families and for the defense of democracy,” said Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer.
“The elevation of Hakeem Jeffries as House Democratic leader is a turning point in the history of the United States Congress. Never before has an African American leader, or any leader of color, held the highest position for any party in any chamber,” he said.
The current Congress is the oldest in US history, making this change a victory for the so-called Generation X, who have often struggled to rise to the upper echelon of government leadership.
This will be good news for a large majority of Americans, who believe that the government is too old and support measures to support the status quoincluding term and age limits.
