Rep. Jeffries wins historic bid to lead House Dems

New York congressman Hakeem Jeffries has been elected House Democratic leader and will become the first Black American to lead a major political party in Congress as long-serving Speaker Nancy Pelosi and her team step aside next year. 

Rep. Hakeem Jeffries, (D) New York, Incoming House Democratic Leader said "We look forward to finding opportunities to partner with the other side of the aisle and work with them, whenever possible. But we will also push back against extremism. Whenever necessary. We love this country. We love our democracy. We love the Congress and the House of Representatives, the institution designed to be the closest to the people. And we're going to fight hard each and every day. We have this honor to serve in Congress, to deliver."

Pelosi, of California, has led the House Democrats for the past 20 years, and colleagues late Tuesday granted her the honorific title of “speaker emerita.”