Hakeem Jeffries elected House Democratic leader in milestone for Black Americans

Incoming Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries becomes first Black American to lead either major party in Congress

By Michael Hernandez

WASHINGTON (AA) - Democrats in the House of Representatives unanimously chose congressman Hakeem Jeffries to be their next party leader on Wednesday, making him the first Black lawmaker to lead either major party in Congress.

Jeffries, 52, is now slated to succeed outgoing House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, who announced two weeks ago that she would be stepping down from Democratic leadership prior to the next Congress convening in January.

Pelosi remains the first woman to hold the Speaker mantle and her decision to step down from Democratic leadership is a watershed moment for the party as it ushers in a new era. Jeffries' candidacy was approved by acclimation during a closed-door session on Capitol Hill, according to multiple reports.

He will now lead the party as its minority leader after it lost control of the chamber during the Nov. 8 midterm elections.

Kaynak:

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