Hakeem Jeffries: Nancy Pelosi’s likely successor formally declares Democratic leadership bid
Republicans are set to hold an extremely slim majority in the House of Representatives
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.With the Republican Party projected to win a slim majority in the US House of Representatives and Nancy Pelosi stepping down from the Democratic leadership, Congressman Hakeem Jeffries has officially declared he is running for his party’s top job – and so far, he is unopposed.
In an emotional address on the House floor on Thursday, Ms Pelosi said lawmakers “must move boldly into the future” and remain “open to fresh possibilities.” She will continue to serve her district as the congresswoman representing San Francisco, but she will not seek re-election to a leadership role.
Current House minority leader Kevin McCarthy has already cleared the first hurdle toward being elected House Speaker but with more than 30 of his members declining to back him.
The Republican was notably absent from Ms Pelosi’s announcement in the lower chamber – a rebuke after several other GOP figures turned out to join Democrats in applauding the long-running lawmaker.
When asked by reporters why he missed the speech, he claimed he “had meetings”.
Republicans win House majority on strength of gerrymandered districts and rebuke to Biden
Karen Bass projected to beat billionaire Rick Caruso to become first female mayor of Los Angeles
Mike Pence admits he was ‘angered’ by Trump tweet as rioters stormed Capitol around him
New tally show Arizona voters reject stricter voter ID law
Lauren Boebert posts premature victory video
Colorado Rep Lauren Boebert has been mocked online for declaring victory in her too-close-to-call race for re-election to the House of Representatives.
The MAGA Republican lawmaker is facing off against Democratic challenger Adam Frisch in Colorado’s 3rd Congressional District.
As of Friday morning — 10 days after election day on 8 November — it looks likely that the race is headed to an automatic recount. With 99 per cent of votes now counted, the right-wing extremist is leading her Democratic opponent by just 551 votes or 0.16 percentage points.
Oliver O’Connell has more.
Boebert mocked for video claiming victory in her Colorado House race as recount looms
Automatic recount looking increasingly likely in Trump ally’s district
Aguilar running for caucus chair
The expected trio of Democratic leadership hopefuls are all three now out of the gate, with Congressman Pete Aguilar joining Hakeem Jeffries and Katherine Clark with a formal campaign announcement – in his case, to become Democratic caucus chair:
Why McCarthy skipped Pelosi’s farewell speech
House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy revealed why he skipped outgoing House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s address announcing that she would step aside from her position as Democratic leader.
Mr McCarthy, largely expected to succeed Ms Pelosi as speaker of the House, told reporters he was busy in meetings.
“I had meetings, but normally, the others would do it during votes — I wish she could have done that, I could have been there,” he said, The New York Post reported.
Eric Garcia writes:
Kevin McCarthy reveals why he skipped Nancy Pelosi’s departure speech
McCarthy is expected to become House speaker in the new Congress
More trouble for McCarthy as he tries to lock up speakership
It is already clear that Kevin McCarthy will have only the tiniest majority to work with as the GOP takes the House majority – but even his path to becoming speaker is not entirely clear, with more of his hardcore right-wing caucus coming out to say they will not vote to elect him to the top job:
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments