On Friday morning, House Democratic leader Rep. Hakeem Jeffries (DN.Y.) took the podium for his first speech in his new role after House Republicans finally elected Rep. Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) is the leader. .
Jeffries thanked his colleagues, honored former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (Calif.) and introduced himself as the top Democrat in the chamber. He acknowledged that the new Republican majority marks the House “at a crossroads,” though his party could still “extend the hand of the partnership” across the aisle.
Jeffries handed the gavel to McCarthy – but first, he was having fun.
“I also want to make it clear that we will not compromise our principles,” he said, before diving into a list that covers the entire alphabet.
“House Democrats will always put American values over autocracy,” Jeffries began. “Virtue is against fanaticism. The constitution is about code.”
(You can watch Jeffries’ entire speech here.)
As Democrats spoke, McCarthy stood to the side of the podium.
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It took four days and 15 rounds of voting before McCarthy got the support he needed to win, despite opposition from the hard-right contingent in the caucus, including Reps. Lauren Boebert of Colorado and Matt Gaetz of Florida. McCarthy spent the week dealing with rejection after rejection and meeting with critics to find out how to gain support.
In the end, six of McCarthy’s opponents voted “now” that night. A person becomes speaker when he has received a majority from the current members of the DPR and elects a candidate. The “present” vote lowered the threshold McCarthy needed to declare victory, allowing him to win with 216 votes to Jeffries’ 212.