US House Minority Leader Jeffries bids for Speaker role
Hakeem Jeffries announces candidacy for US House Speaker
US House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries has officially thrown his hat into the ring for Speaker of the House of Representatives, Russia's state news agency TASS reported.
In a letter to his colleagues, Jeffries requested their support for his candidacy, pledging that the House would no longer function as a subsidiary of the Trump administration but instead serve as a check on the executive branch.
The new Congress, set to convene on January 3, 2027, will see Democrats take control of both the House and Senate, following the midterm elections that saw voters elect a third of the Senate, all 435 House seats, and governors in 36 states.
Jeffries is poised to become the first black Speaker of the House, according to US media reports.
The midterm elections, held on Tuesday, will lead to a change in the balance of power in Congress, with Democrats set to hold majorities in both chambers.
Background
The Speaker of the House is second in line to the presidency and plays a crucial role in shaping the legislative agenda.
The position has been held by Republicans in recent years, but with Democrats taking control, Jeffries' bid is seen as a significant development in the party's leadership.
