Now that Democrats have won a majority in the House of Representatives, Hakeem Jeffries, the New York Democrat who has led his party's House caucus since 2023, is positioned to become the next Speaker of the House, which would make him the first Black American to hold the post.
The Speaker of the House is second in the presidential line of succession after the vice president, and sets the chamber's legislative agenda, including which bills come to the floor for a vote. Jeffries took over House Democratic leadership after Nancy Pelosi stepped back from the role, and he has spent the past two years leading the party from the minority during unified Republican control of Washington.
Addressing supporters after House control was called for Democrats, Jeffries said voters had sent a message to end what he described as extremism and corruption in Congress. He has said his priorities as Speaker will center on affordability, a theme that featured heavily across Democratic campaigns this cycle, and on oversight of the administration.
The formal vote for Speaker will not take place until the new Congress is sworn in at the start of January, and the exact size of the Democratic majority will shape how much room Jeffries has to maneuver on legislation, given the narrow margins that are typical in the modern House.
Watch for leadership elections within both parties' caucuses in the coming weeks, and for early signals on how Jeffries plans to use the gavel on spending and oversight matters once the new Congress convenes.
When would Jeffries officially become Speaker?
The formal vote happens when the new Congress is sworn in, typically in early January.
What has Jeffries said his priorities will be?
He has pointed to affordability and oversight of the administration as top priorities.