Hakeem Jeffries wins reelection as House Democratic leader despite party’s losses

AP Congressional Correspondent

WASHINGTON (AP) — House Leader Hakeem Jeffries won reelection Tuesday as the Democratic leader. The New York Democrat received support from his colleagues despite the party’s inability to win back majority control of the chamber in the November election. Jeffries and the rest of the top leadership team ran unopposed and were reelected during private balloting by House Democrats. In line to become the House speaker, Jeffries remains the highest ranking Black elected official in Congress, and the first to hold the job of party leader. He fell short of being in place to win the gavel after House Republicans swept to power alongside President-elect Donald Trump. Jeffries said Democrats are ready to work with Republicans but will push back against far-right extremism.