Also elected as part of Jeffries’ team are Katherine Clark,59,of Massachusetts,who won the No. 2 Democratic job,a post known as whip. Californian Pete Aguilar,43,and a member of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus,was elected to Jeffries’ current job of Democratic caucus chairman.
Their elections mean that for the first time in either party,the top three party roles are held by women or people of colour.
“Together,this new generation of leaders reflects the vibrancy and diversity of our great nation – and they will reinvigorate our caucus with their new energy,ideas and perspective,” Pelosi said in a statement congratulating the trio.
The leadership change for Democrats comes as Republicans are set to take majority control – by a slim margin – of the House as a result of the November 8 midterm elections.
Republicans and their leader Kevin McCarthy,who wants to become the next speaker,have put Democrats on notice that they will hit the ground running,launching investigations of administration officials and President Joe Biden and his son Hunter.
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While they made tackling inflation the centrepiece of their 2022 congressional campaigns,Republicans have since said little about that subject.
The three House Democratic leadership jobs have been held for two decades by Pelosi,82,Majority Leader Steny Hoyer,83,and Majority Whip James Clyburn,82.
They have been under pressure for years to give way to a younger generation. The moment for that came after Republicans won the majority,but without the “red wave” of wins they had expected - a turn of events that buoyed Democrats.
Their agreements to step down meant a smooth transition of power. Outside the closed-door meeting,reporters could hear loud celebrations.
“Hakeem Jeffries spent a fourth of his time praising the GOAT[greatest of all time],Nancy Pelosi,” Representative Emanuel Cleaver told reporters afterwards,referring to Jeffries’ speech to his colleagues.
Cleaver,an ordained minister,said caucus members “were on their feet,like at church” celebrating the election of Jeffries,“who I call the hip-hop juggernaut”.
Jeffries is known to be a fan of the music genre and hosts an annual “Hip Hop on the Hill” fundraising event.
Reuters