House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries formally asked his colleagues on Nov. 4 to support him for Speaker of the House, a post he is widely expected to win when the new Congress convenes in January. He would be the first Black Speaker in American history, and he represents a Brooklyn district.
The Speaker controls the House agenda and decides which bills reach the floor, and stands second in line to the presidency. Jeffries pledged to make affordability and accountability his central priorities.
Johnson bows out
On the Republican side, Speaker Mike Johnson said he will not seek to stay on as his party’s leader in the minority. His spokesman confirmed the decision in a one-word email: “Accurate.” Johnson won reelection to his Louisiana seat and is expected to remain in the House.
President Trump praised Johnson’s leadership and said he would stay out of the race to replace him. Reps. Steve Scalise and Jim Jordan have been mentioned as possible successors, and House Republicans are expected to vote as soon as next week.
Johnson became Speaker in October 2023, after weeks of turmoil that followed the ouster of Kevin McCarthy, and led one of the slimmest majorities in modern times.