Hakeem Jeffries' Speakership Hopes Take a Blow as Newly Elected Democrats Bring Chaos on Their First Day in D.C.
Democratic Rep. Hakeem Jeffries of New York faced pushback against his bid to become Speaker of the House after several newly elected members expressed skepticism about his leadership.
Politico’s Playbook got exclusive access to orientation gatherings for new members of the Congressional Progressive Caucus and spoke to more than a dozen incoming representatives.
“The rising progressive stars dubbed the Bloc, who spent DSA Summer knocking off Democratic incumbents, remain unimpressed with the man who would be speaker,” the outlet reported Monday.
“The agenda that I’ve seen so far presented is not going to cut it,” Democratic Rep.-elect Melat Kiros of Colorado said.
“If there isn’t a bold agenda that’s going to be presented, then yeah, we’re going to need somebody who’s actually going to be willing to fight for one like that,” she explained.
“So far uncommitted,” Democratic Rep.-elect Claire Valdez of New York declared.
Democratic Rep.-elect Darializa Avila Chevalier, also of New York, stated that, “I haven’t come to a decision yet.”
“I haven’t yet [decided]” Democratic Rep.-elect Adam Hamawy of New Jersey added. “Still have that option open.”
The three northeast lawmakers said they’ve been receiving phone calls from their constituents asking them not to support Jeffries, but added that they “are set to speak soon.”
The upcoming meeting will mark the first time they’ve talked with Jeffries since election night.
Some of the agenda items listed as top priorities included Medicare for all, public housing, the John Lewis Voting Rights Act and abolishing Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
Democratic Congressman Greg Casar of Texas, who chairs the caucus, said that members will likely vote for Jeffries after he outlines his agenda.
“Just as Leader [Nancy] Pelosi at the time, after having won the 2018 election, had productive conversations with every caucus,” Casar noted.
“I will have those same conversations with Leader Jeffries, and I expect that we will both deliver the votes, but also deliver the proactive, populist, powerful agenda that people are calling us about.”
One source described a closed-door session between Democrats as a “veiled lecture about not pursuing Medicare for all.”
“People are pissed,” Kiros told Playbook, “and they’ll also be pissed at us if we don’t actually do something with them.”
“We need strategic, disciplined unity,” Rep-elect Brad Lander of New York said. He also believes Jeffries “will be elected with an overwhelming majority on Day One.”
This news comes just days after reports surfaced that a petition to choose a different speaker, published by Change.org, was picking up steam.
As of Monday morning, it had garnered over 1 million verified signatures.
“We believe the Speaker should represent the Democratic voters, not just the Democratic establishment,” the petition read. “The Speaker has enormous influence over the direction of the House, including its legislative priorities and agenda.”
“Before casting their votes, representatives should closely examine Jeffries’s public record, policy positions, campaign donor record and leadership and listen to constituents who do not want him elevated to Speaker.”
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