Hakeem Jeffries, the first Black politician to lead a party in Congress

• Rep. Hakeem Jeffries will become the first Black legislator to lead a party in Congress.
• He succeeds Nancy Pelosi, who served as House speaker during the last Congress.
• Jeffries is also the first House Democratic leader born after World War II.

Rep. Hakeem Jeffries will become the first Black legislator to lead a party in Congress, in the 118th Congress convenes on Tuesday.

The New York congressman will take over as House Democratic leader, succeeding Nancy Pelosi, who served as speaker during the last Congress. He is not only the first Black member to hold such a position, but he is also the first House Democratic leader born after World War II.

The House will hold a vote to pick a new speaker when the 118th Congress convenes on Tuesday, Jan. 3. Republicans will nominate GOP leader Kevin McCarthy, while Democrats will nominate incoming leader Jeffries.

Once the Speaker is elected and MPs are sworn in, party leaders are formally announced, with Jeffries expected to become minority leader at that time because Republicans would control the House majority in the new Congress.

With his new post, Jeffries, 52, symbolises the end of an era for Democrats while also ushering in a new one.

During a closed-door voting in November, House Democrats chose Jeffries to lead their party. He was the only one running. With Republicans having a small majority in the House, Jeffries will now be at the forefront of the Democratic minority for the next two years.

“I just look forward to the opportunity to do the most good for the greatest number of people possible for as long as I have the opportunity to do so and can operate at the highest level,” he previously told reputed media outlet.

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