Showing posts with label Hakeem Jefferies. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Hakeem Jefferies. Show all posts

Saturday, January 07, 2023

Hakeem Jeffries makes history: First Black lawmaker to lead a party in Congress

Hakeem Jeffries made history as the first Black lawmaker to lead a party in Congress, addressing the 118th Congress for the first time in the early hours of Saturday morning.

The New York Democrat now leads the minority party in the US House of Representatives, succeeding Rep. Nancy Pelosi, who served as speaker in the prior session of Congress when Democrats held the majority.

Watch Rep. Hakeem Jefferies first speech as minority leader to the 118th Congress:

Tuesday, December 06, 2022

NAACP Congratulates Rep. Hakeem Jeffries on Historic New Role

This week, Democrats in the House of Representatives voted to elect Rep. Hakeem Jeffries as their new party leader. NAACP President and CEO Derrick Johnson released the following statement congratulating him on this historic achievement:

"Rep. Hakeem Jeffries has made history. The NAACP is proud to celebrate the election of the first Black lawmaker to lead a major political party in either chamber of Congress. This is a major milestone for Black representation within our government. This historic moment is only further proof that it is possible to build a Congress that is just as diverse and dynamic as the American people. As he steps into this new role, Rep. Jeffries will lead his Caucus into a new era, bringing with him new ideas, passion, and energy that will inspire the next generation of Black leaders. "

Sunday, December 04, 2022

Incoming House Democratic leader Hakeem Jefferies interview on ABC News This Week

Incoming House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries of New York was interviewed on ABC's "This Week" by anchor George Stephanopoulos. During the interview topics such as chances of his caucus working with Republicans to elect the chamber's next speaker, Jefferies being an election denier, and Republican extremism.

Friday, November 18, 2022

Hakeem Jeffries running to replace Pelosi as top House Democrat

New York Rep. Hakeem Jeffries, the fourth-ranking House Democrat, said Friday that he will run to replace House Speaker Nancy Pelosi as the party's leader after Republicans took back control of the chamber in last week’s midterm elections.

His announcement in a letter to colleagues came a day after Pelosi said in a powerful floor speech that she is stepping down after a two-decade reign as the top leader of House Democrats.

If Jeffries is successful, it would represent a historic passing of the torch: Pelosi made history as the first female speaker of the House, while Jeffries, the current Democratic Caucus chairman, would become the first Black leader of a congressional caucus and highest-ranking Black lawmaker on Capitol Hill. If Democrats were to retake control of the House — a real possibility with Republicans having such a narrow majority — Jeffries would be in line to be the first Black speaker in the nation's history.

The ascension of the 52-year-old Jeffries to minority leader would also represent generational change. Pelosi and her top two deputies — Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, D-Md., and Majority Whip Jim Clyburn, D-S.C. — are all in their 80s and are receiving from within the party for “new blood” in leadership; Hoyer will not seek another leadership post while Clyburn plans to stay on and work with the next generation

[SOURCE: NBC NEWS]

Sunday, July 14, 2019

Rep. Hakeem Jefferies slams Trump for racist attack on 4 Congresswoman of color

Although House leadership and the four congresswomen known collectively as "The Squad," Reps. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (N.Y.), Ilhan Omar (Minn.), Ayanna Pressley (Mass.) and Rashida Tlaib (Mich.) are not seeing eye to eye right now, Rep. Hakeem Jefferies, the chairman of the House Democratic Caucus (the fifth leadership spot)) took to Twitter to defend them against a vile and racist attack by Trump.

Trump Tweeted the following:

"So interesting to see 'Progressive' Democrat Congresswomen, who originally came from countries whose governments are a complete and total catastrophe, the worst, most corrupt and inept anywhere in the world (if they even have a functioning government at all), now loudly and viciously telling the people of the United States, the greatest and most powerful Nation on earth, how our government is to be run," Trump tweeted.

"Why don't they go back and help fix the totally broken and crime infested places from which they came," the president continued. "Then come back and show us how it is done."

"These places need your help badly, you can't leave fast enough," said Trump. "I'm sure that Nancy Pelosi would be very happy to quickly work out free travel arrangements!"

Jefferies responded strongly on Twitter:

Thursday, April 18, 2019

Congressional Black Caucus members respond to Mueller report

The Mueller Report has been released today and several members of the Congressional Black Caucus such as Sen. Cory Booker, Rep. Hakeem Jefferies, Rep. Barbara Lee have responded to it via Twitter. Check out their responses below:

Wednesday, November 28, 2018

Hakeem Jeffries defeats Barbara Lee to become Dem caucus chair

Rep. Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) has been elected Democratic caucus chair after edging past a fellow member of the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC).

In a 123-113 vote, Jeffries, one of the leaders of the party’s messaging arm, defeated veteran Rep. Barbara Lee (D-Calif.), a former CBC chairwoman.

Jeffries, 48, is seen as a rising star among House Democrats and potential future Speaker. He frequently appears on the cable news shows to advance the Democrats’ message and push back against the GOP agenda.

But following his victory, Jeffries told reporters he wasn’t thinking about his future political ambitions and instead was solely focused on the task at hand. Jeffries will now preside over the rest of Wednesday’s leadership elections, which include picking a nominee for Speaker.

With Rep. James Clyburn (D-S.C.) expected to easily become majority whip, that means there will be two black lawmakers serving in the top five leadership positions for the first time in history.

“I stand on the shoulders of people like Jim Clyburn … There’s a great legacy of the Congressional Black Caucus,” Jeffries told reporters. “It’s a proud moment for our community. But I’m focused on standing up for everyone.”

[SOURCE: THE HILL]

Wednesday, November 21, 2018

Rep. Hakeem Jefferies to challenge Rep. Barbara Lee for a democratic leadership position

Two members of the Congressional Black Caucus are in direct competition for a Democratic leadership position, including a young upstart who is bypassing the unwritten rule to wait his turn.

Rep. Hakeem Jeffries’ (D-N.Y.) late entrance into the race for House Democratic Caucus chair pits him against Rep. Barbara Lee (D-Calif.), a former CBC chairwoman who announced her candidacy in June.

The competition is a sign of the CBC’s growing power and the challenges it faces as it expands. But it’s also a symptom of the leadership bottleneck threatening to shake up the entire Democratic Caucus in January.

While relatively obscure, especially compared to the high-profile speaker role, the caucus chair is an important position. In addition to being a launchpad for the future, the job puts the chairperson in the room where decisions are made, giving that member a say in the strategy the Democrats will use as they figure out how to take on President Donald Trump and Senate Republicans in 2019.

Lee and Jeffries represent opposite sides of the country and different generations of the party. Lee, 72, has paid her dues, playing the waiting game before seeking a jump into leadership. But Jeffries, 48, a rising star in the Democratic Party, is already ready to soar. A number of Democrats point to him as a potential future speaker.

That two African-American colleagues are going head to head may be unusual, members say, but it shouldn’t be unexpected within an increasingly diverse Democratic Caucus.

“There’s never a problem when two whites run against each other or two Hispanics run against each other or two Asians run against each other,” Rep. Maxine Waters (D-Calif.) said. “So don’t ask me about that.”

Read more: Dem chairman fight pits old guard vs. new generation of black leaders

Wednesday, August 15, 2018

Democratic takeover could bring first black speaker of the house

Upheaval in the Democratic caucus could pave the way for a historic House leader — and some potential names are already being discussed.

The next speaker of the House could be a black Democrat. And Congress would never be the same.

In 230 years, there’s never been a black speaker, or any black lawmaker seriously in the running for the post. That could change after voters go to the polls in November.

Democrats are their closest to winning back the House in years. Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) has said she will run for speaker again, but after 16 years at the top, some lawmakers — and a rising number of Democratic candidates — want someone else to take over.

The prospect of a black speaker, which seemed like a long shot just months ago, has started to bubble up more in private conversations in recent weeks, particularly among Democrats in the influential, 48-member Congressional Black Caucus.

After Rep. Joe Crowley of New York, a potential Pelosi successor, went down in a shocking primary defeat in June, the questions about who might replace her have only grown. And that raises the possibility of an African-American Democrat being sworn in as the 55th speaker on Jan. 3.

The members with the likeliest shot, according to more than 20 Democratic lawmakers and aides, include Rep. Jim Clyburn of South Carolina, currently the No. 3 House Democrat; Hakeem Jeffries of New York; Cedric Richmond of Louisiana, current chairman of the CBC; Elijah Cummings of Maryland; and Marcia Fudge of Ohio.

Read more: Democratic takeover could bring first black speaker

Tuesday, November 14, 2017

Rep. Hakeem Jefferies questions Attorney General Jeff Sessions ability to remember things.

On 11/14/2017 during a House Judiciary Committee hearing. Rep. Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY), pressed the attorney general on his claims that he didn’t recall certain moments during testimony. This didn't go well for Sessions. Watch their at times intense five minute session below:

Tuesday, April 04, 2017

Rep. Hakeem Jeffries: No Tax Reform Without Trump’s Tax Returns

Last night in Washington, Representative Hakeem Jeffries (D-New York 8th Congressional District, Brooklyn, Queens) took to the House floor demanding that President Trump release his tax returns.

Jeffries, a member of the House Judiciary and House Budget Committees, presented a privileged resolution which would delay any tax-reform legislation until the House Ways and Means Committee has had the opportunity to review Trump’s tax returns and determine how and if the president could benefit from tax-code changes.

The “privileged” resolution means that the House would have to act within two legislative days.

Jeffries argued that the House of Representatives shall:

-Immediately request tax return information of Donald J. Trump for tax years 2007 through 2016 for review in closed executive session by the Committee on Ways and Means, as provided under Section 6103 of the Internal Revenue Code, and vote to report the information therein to the full House of Representatives.

-Postpone consideration of comprehensive tax reform legislation until after the elected representatives of the American people in this House have been able to review Trump’s tax returns and ascertain how any changes to the Tax Code might financially benefit the President of the United States.

Jeffries stated that the American people deserve transparency concerning the President’s financial conflicts of interest and possible involvement with Russia.

[SOURCE: bklyner.com]

Saturday, March 11, 2017

NY congressman honors Biggie Smalls on the House floor.

Rep. Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) used the House floor to pay tribute to New York rapper The Notorious B.I.G. on the 20th anniversary of his death Thursday.

Sunday, November 27, 2016

Pelosi nominates Rep. Hakeem Jefferies for vice chair post

By George L. Cook III AfricanAmericanReports.Com

House minority leader Nancy Pelosi is attempting to spread around responsibilities and opportunities within democratic leadership positions in the House of Representatives. She is doing so to address the concerns of younger less tenured members in the House.

In doing so she has nominated several newer members to leadership positions. Among them is Rep. Hakeem Jefferies (NY) who she has nominated as a vice chair of the Democratic Policy and Communications Committee. Jefferies has served four years and has just been elected to a third term.

The House Democratic Policy and Communications Committee (DPCC) is tasked with developing a Caucus-wide message that forcefully communicates where House Democrats stand, that resonates with hardworking Americans, and that presents a sharp contrast to House Republicans’ special interest first agenda.

Friday, September 16, 2016

Congressional Black Caucus Slams Trump's 'Birther' Response

Members of the Congressional Black Caucus PAC were less than happy with Donald Trump's admission that Pres. Obama was indeed born a United States citizen. After 5 years of questioning the legitimacy of the nation's first black president, Trump took about 30 seconds addressing the issue. CBC members such as Hakeem Jefferies and Sheila Jackson-Lee took a lot longer in their fiery responses such as the . Watch the CBC members respond below.

Wednesday, December 03, 2014

Black NY congressman speak out on Eric Garner grand jury decision

Black congressman Rep Hakeem Jeffries and Rep. Charles Rangel spoke out on the unsurprising decision by a grand jury not to indict the cop that killed Eric Garner. Hear their comments below:

Friday, April 25, 2014

NY Congressman Blasts 'Lost Cause' Clarence Thomas

[ SOURCE ] New York Democratic Congressman Hakeem Jeffries addressed fierce criticism that the Supreme Court's only African American justice, Clarence Thomas, faced after he helped uphold Michigan's ban on affirmative action in state university admissions. "I've long since given up on seeing anything productive from Clarence Thomas," Jeffries said during a roundtable discussion at his office in Brooklyn Thursday. "He's a lost cause as far as I'm concerned and is more reactionary than conservatives like Justice Alito or Justice Scalia."

The Supreme Court preserved Michigan's ban by a 6-2 vote Tuesday with Thomas part of the majority. Jeffries said he thought the court's decision would not benefit Michigan's schools.

"It was a troubling decision in that it did not recognize the value of diversity generally in terms of enhancing the academic environment," said Jeffries. "I think that diversity is a value that the Supreme Court should embrace, but that decision certainly moves in a different direction."