Hakeem Jeffries facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Hakeem Jeffries
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Official portrait, 2021
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| House Minority Leader | |
| Assumed office January 3, 2023 |
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| Whip | Katherine Clark |
| Preceded by | Kevin McCarthy |
| Leader of the House Democratic Caucus | |
| Assumed office January 3, 2023 |
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| Deputy | Katherine Clark |
| Preceded by | Nancy Pelosi |
| Chair of the House Democratic Caucus | |
| In office January 3, 2019 – January 3, 2023 |
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| Leader | Nancy Pelosi |
| Preceded by | Joe Crowley |
| Succeeded by | Pete Aguilar |
| Co-Chair of the House Democratic Policy and Communications Committee | |
| In office January 3, 2017 – January 3, 2019 Serving with Cheri Bustos and David Cicilline
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| Leader | Nancy Pelosi |
| Preceded by | Steve Israel (chair) |
| Succeeded by | Matt Cartwright Debbie Dingell Ted Lieu |
| Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from New York's 8th district |
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| Assumed office January 3, 2013 |
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| Preceded by | Edolphus Towns (redistricting) |
| Member of the New York State Assembly from the 57th district |
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| In office January 1, 2007 – December 31, 2012 |
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| Preceded by | Roger Green |
| Succeeded by | Walter Mosley |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Hakeem Sekou Jeffries
August 4, 1970 New York City, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse |
Kennisandra Arciniegas-Jeffries
(m. 1997) |
| Children | 2 |
| Relatives | Hasan Kwame Jeffries (brother) Leonard Jeffries (uncle) |
| Education |
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| Website | |
Hakeem Sekou Jeffries (born August 4, 1970) is an American politician and lawyer. Since 2023, he has been the House Minority Leader and the head of the House Democratic Caucus. He is currently in his seventh term as a U.S. representative for New York's 8th congressional district, a role he has held since 2013. Before that, he served three terms in the New York State Assembly from 2007 to 2012.
Jeffries grew up in Crown Heights, Brooklyn, New York City. He studied law at New York University School of Law and became a corporate lawyer. Both his state and federal districts are mainly in Brooklyn.
In Congress, Jeffries led the House Democratic Caucus from 2019 to 2023. In November 2022, other members of the caucus chose him to take over from Nancy Pelosi as their leader. This made him the first African American to lead a political party in either the U.S. Congress.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Hakeem Jeffries was born in New York City on August 4, 1970. His mother, Laneda, was a social worker, and his father, Marland, was a state counselor. He has one brother named Hasan. Jeffries grew up in Crown Heights, Brooklyn, and has been a member of the Cornerstone Baptist Church his whole life.
He graduated from Midwood High School in 1988. Then, he went to Binghamton University and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science in 1992. He also joined the Kappa Alpha Psi fraternity there.
Jeffries continued his studies at Georgetown University's McCourt School of Public Policy, where he earned a Master of Public Policy degree in 1994. He then attended New York University School of Law. He graduated with high honors in 1997 and gave a speech at his graduation ceremony.
After law school, Jeffries worked as a law clerk for Judge Harold Baer Jr. He then worked at a law firm from 1998 to 2004. Later, he became a corporate lawyer for TV companies Viacom and CBS.
New York State Assembly Service
Jeffries was elected to the New York State Assembly for a Brooklyn district. He served there from 2007 to 2012. During his time in the Assembly, he introduced more than 70 new laws.
In 2007, during his first term, Jeffries supported Barack Obama for president. He was one of Obama's first supporters in New York, which is Hillary Clinton's home state. Jeffries once said that seeing "Barack Obama" get elected inspired him, especially after some people doubted if someone with the name "Hakeem Jeffries" could win an election.
While in the Assembly, Jeffries focused on policing issues. In 2010, he sponsored a bill with then-Senator Eric Adams. This bill stopped police from collecting names and addresses of people who were stopped but not arrested during street searches. This law was signed by Governor David Paterson.
Jeffries also worked on a law that changed how prison populations were counted for district sizes. This law made New York the second state to stop counting prisoners in upstate districts as part of those districts' populations.
U.S. House of Representatives
Early Years in Congress (2013–2018)
Hakeem Jeffries was first elected to the United States House of Representatives in 2012. He started serving in January 2013.
In 2013, Jeffries introduced a bill to study making the Prison Ship Martyrs' Monument in Brooklyn part of the National Park System. This monument honors American patriots who died during the Revolutionary War. The House passed this bill in 2014.
He also helped pass the Slain Officer Family Support Act in 2015. This law helped families of police officers who died by extending tax deadlines for donations made to them. President Obama signed it into law.
In 2018, Jeffries was a key supporter of the First Step Act. This law made federal sentences less strict and helped people get out of prison earlier. It also stopped some harsh practices, like shackling women inmates during childbirth. He also helped pass the Music Modernization Act, which became law in 2018.
Jeffries continued a program called "Congress on Your Corner." He holds outdoor office hours near subway stations to meet people and hear their concerns directly.
Committee Work
When he first joined Congress, Jeffries served on the Budget Committee. Later, he joined the Judiciary Committee. He is also a long-time member of the Congressional Black Caucus and the Congressional Progressive Caucus.
Leadership Roles (2018–2022)
Democratic Caucus Chair
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On November 28, 2018, Jeffries became the chair of the House Democratic Caucus. He started this role on January 3, 2019. In this position, he was the fifth-highest-ranking member of the Democratic leadership.
First Impeachment of President Donald Trump
On January 15, 2020, Jeffries was chosen as one of seven House managers. These managers presented the case to remove President Trump from office during his trial in the United States Senate. During the trial, Jeffries quoted a Bible verse, Psalm 37:28, saying, "For the Lord loves justice and will not abandon his faithful ones." He also famously quoted rapper Biggie Smalls, saying, "and if you don't know, now you know."
House Democratic Leader (2022–Present)
In November 2022, Jeffries was chosen as the House Democratic leader for the 118th United States Congress. He was the only candidate for the role and had the support of outgoing Speaker Pelosi. This made him the first African American to lead a party in either part of Congress.
118th Congress
Start of 118th Congress
When the 118th Congress began on January 3, 2023, the House of Representatives started voting for a new Speaker. The Democratic party chose Jeffries for Speaker. He received 212 votes from all Democrats in almost every vote. Kevin McCarthy, the Republican candidate, struggled to get enough votes. On January 6, McCarthy finally became Speaker after 15 rounds of voting. Jeffries gave McCarthy the gavel after a 15-minute speech. This speech, which listed words describing what government should be, was called the "ABCs of Democracy." A video of his speech has been viewed millions of times online. In July 2024, Jeffries announced he had written a children's book based on this speech, called The ABCs of Democracy.
In October 2023, after McCarthy was removed as Speaker, House Democrats again chose Jeffries as their candidate for Speaker.
Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2023
A big challenge for the 118th Congress was the nation's debt ceiling. If the country couldn't pay its debts, it would cause major problems. On May 29, 2023, a bill called the Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2023 was introduced. On May 31, when the bill was voted on, Jeffries signaled to Democrats that they could vote for it, and over 50 did. The bill became law on June 3. It is expected to reduce the national debt by $1.5 trillion over ten years.
Removal of Speaker McCarthy
On October 3, 2023, Representative Matt Gaetz filed a motion to remove Speaker McCarthy. Jeffries announced that House Democratic leaders would vote to remove McCarthy. He listed reasons why Democrats did not want McCarthy to remain Speaker.
After McCarthy was removed, Jeffries wrote an article in the Washington Post. He called for a "bipartisan governing coalition," meaning Democrats and Republicans working together. He suggested a way for laws to pass even if a few extreme members tried to block them. This showed Jeffries's leadership in guiding Congress.
Working Together in Congress
In December 2023, Jeffries led House Democrats in voting for the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2023. Democrats provided most of the votes, helping the bill pass. This bill included a 5.2% pay raise for military members. In January 2024, Jeffries and other leaders agreed on a $1.59 trillion spending plan for the year.
On March 6, the House passed a $459 billion spending package. This bill funded several government departments. Jeffries led the talks and praised Democrats for protecting programs like WIC (a food assistance program) and providing money for housing and firefighters. He said, "Once again, Democrats protected the American people and delivered the overwhelming majority of votes necessary to get things done."
On March 22, the House passed a second $741 billion spending bill, again with Democratic support. Jeffries highlighted how Democrats and Republicans worked together. He said Democrats would always try to find common ground to help the American people. He also helped ensure that every Democratic member received funding for at least one project in their district.
On April 12, the House passed a bill to continue the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act. Democrats helped pass this bill to protect national security. On April 20, Jeffries helped pass a package of bills to provide aid to Israel, Taiwan, and Ukraine. These bills passed with strong support from both parties and were signed into law. The package also included a bill to make the app TikTok change its ownership and a law to use money taken from Russian wealthy individuals to help Ukraine. Jeffries stressed that defending democracy is a responsibility for all Americans. He told 60 Minutes that House Democrats were "effectively governing as if we were in the majority."
On May 15, the House passed the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024, which aims to improve air travel safety. More Democrats voted for it than Republicans. After helping pass important bills, the Associated Press said Jeffries might be "the most powerful person in Congress right now."
Stopping a Second Attempt to Remove Speaker Johnson
Some Republicans wanted to remove Speaker Mike Johnson. On May 8, 2024, Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene tried to force a vote to remove him. Jeffries and other Democratic leaders announced that Democrats would vote to keep Johnson as Speaker. They did this because Johnson had helped pass important funding bills and supported Ukraine. The House voted to keep Johnson, with many Republicans and Democrats voting together. This showed Jeffries's influence in Congress.
119th Congress: Second Trump Term
Jeffries attended President Trump’s second inauguration on January 20, 2025. On February 3, Jeffries shared a plan for Democrats to challenge Trump and Republicans in Congress. He promised to use a federal funding deadline to stop Trump from changing how money was spent. Jeffries also said Democrats would introduce a bill to prevent "unlawful access" to the Treasury Department's payment system.
On March 11, the House passed a temporary spending bill. Jeffries was praised for keeping House Democrats united against it. The vote was very close, mostly along party lines. On March 12, Jeffries and other Democratic leaders supported a four-week temporary spending bill to allow more time for a final agreement.
On February 24, Jeffries wrote a letter criticizing House Republicans' budget plan. He said their plan would cut Medicaid, a health program for low-income people. On April 27, Jeffries and Senator Cory Booker protested the proposed Medicaid cuts. A few days later, Jeffries gave a speech about Trump's first 100 days in office. He said Democrats would offer a "blueprint for a better America."
On July 3, during the 119th Congress, Jeffries spoke for eight hours and 44 minutes against a bill called the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. He broke the record for the longest speech in the House. In his speech, Jeffries talked about his background, called the bill an "all-out assault" on workers, and shared stories of people who would be hurt by it. He also quoted Martin Luther King Jr. and the Bible.
Role as Democratic Fundraiser and Leader
Since becoming leader, Jeffries has become a key person in raising money for the Democratic party. In 2023, he raised $113 million for Democratic candidates and campaigns. The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC), under Jeffries's leadership, has set new fundraising records for the 2024 election.
Jeffries's first big political test as leader came in February 2024. He helped former representative Tom Suozzi win a special election in New York. Jeffries sent his team to help and raised $1 million for the campaign.
Jeffries gave a major speech at the 2024 Democratic National Convention. He supported Kamala Harris for president. Essence magazine said he delivered the speech with the "cadence of a seasoned preacher."
Caucus Memberships
- Black Maternal Health Caucus
- Congressional Progressive Caucus
- Congressional Black Caucus
- Congressional Ukrainian Caucus
- U.S.–Japan Caucus
- Congressional Caucus on Turkey and Turkish Americans
Committee Assignments
118th Congress
As a party leader, Jeffries does not have regular committee assignments. However, he is an ex-officio member of the United States House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence.
117th Congress
- Committee on the Judiciary
- Subcommittee on Courts, Intellectual Property and the Internet
- Subcommittee on Antitrust, Commercial, and Administrative Law
- Committee on the Budget
116th Congress
- Committee on the Judiciary
- Subcommittee on Courts, Intellectual Property, and the Internet
- Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security
- Committee on the Budget
115th Congress
- Committee on the Judiciary
- Subcommittee on Courts, Intellectual Property, and the Internet
- Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, Homeland Security, and Investigations
- Committee on the Budget
114th Congress
- Committee on Education and Workforce
- Subcommittee on Health, Employment, Labor, and Pensions
- Subcommittee on Higher Education and Workforce Training
- Committee on the Judiciary
- Subcommittee on Courts, Intellectual Property, and the Internet
- Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, Homeland Security, and Investigations
113th Congress
- Committee on the Judiciary
- Subcommittee on Courts, Intellectual Property, and the Internet
- Subcommittee on Regulatory Reform, Commercial and Antitrust Law
- Committee on the Budget
Political Views
Jeffries is known for his ability to work with different groups of Democrats and with Republicans. He is considered a moderate politician. He has said he wants to work with Republicans "whenever possible" but will also stand up against extreme ideas. He also has good relationships with more progressive Democrats.
Former U.S. Representative Bob Goodlatte, a Republican, said that Jeffries is good at talking to anyone in a helpful way to get things done. He called Jeffries "open to compromise."
Jeffries has been called a "rising star" in politics. He was appointed to a task force on over-criminalization and was the whip for the Congressional Black Caucus. He also plays baseball on the Congressional Baseball Team.
Gun Laws
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Jeffries supports stronger background checks for people who want to buy guns. He also supports a ban on assault weapons.
Environment
In 2024, Jeffries expressed concerns about a plan to charge drivers for entering certain parts of New York City (called congestion pricing). He supported pausing the plan.
Elections
New York State Assembly Elections
In 2000, Jeffries first ran for the State Assembly against the current assemblyman, Roger Green. He lost that election. He ran again in 2002 and lost again.
In 2006, Roger Green retired. Jeffries ran for the 57th district again and won the Democratic primary. He then easily won the general election against Republican Henry Weinstein.
Jeffries was reelected in 2008 and 2010, winning by large margins each time.
U.S. House Elections
2012 Election
In January 2012, Jeffries announced he would leave his Assembly seat to run for the U.S. House. He planned to challenge Edolphus Towns, the current representative. However, Towns announced his retirement in April, leaving Jeffries to run against city councilman Charles Barron in the Democratic primary.
Jeffries had wide support from local leaders. Former mayor Ed Koch and other officials supported his campaign. President Barack Obama and President Bill Clinton also took a photo with Jeffries, which was used in his campaign.
Jeffries defeated Barron in the June 26 primary election, winning 72% of the vote. A newspaper noted that Barron lost in all parts of the district.
In the general election, Jeffries won against Republican Alan Bellone and Green Party candidate Colin Beavan with 71% of the vote.
On January 3, 2013, he officially became a member of the 113th United States Congress. He has been reelected six times since then.
Later Elections
Jeffries was reelected to the House in 2014 without any major opposition.
In 2016, he faced no primary challenger and won the general election with 93% of the vote.
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In 2018, Jeffries again had no primary challenger and was reelected with 94% of the vote.
In 2020, he faced no primary challenger and won reelection with 84% of the vote.
In 2022, Jeffries had no major primary challenger and was reelected with 71.63% of the vote in the general election.
In 2024, Jeffries faced no primary challenger and was reelected with 75% of the vote.
Personal Life
Jeffries is married to Kennisandra Arciniegas-Jeffries, who is a social worker. They have two sons and live in Prospect Heights, Brooklyn.
Jeffries is a Baptist. In 2013, he played baseball for the Democratic team in the Congressional Baseball Game.
His younger brother, Hasan Kwame Jeffries, is a history professor at Ohio State University. Hakeem and Hasan are the nephews of Leonard Jeffries, a former professor. Hakeem Jeffries has stated that he does not share the controversial views his uncle expressed many years ago.
See also
In Spanish: Hakeem Jeffries para niños
