[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 184 (Wednesday, November 30, 2022)]
[Senate]
[Pages S6867-S6868]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]



                        House Democratic Caucus

  Mr. SCHUMER. Mr. President, this morning, the House Democratic 
caucus, of which we were once both Members, will make a momentous and 
potentially historic decision: selecting the next generation of leaders 
that will propel House Democrats forward in the 118th Congress.
  Every time the caucus comes together to choose its leaders, it is a 
big deal, but today's gathering is unlike any we have seen before. For 
one, it signals the end of a magnificent era, as my dear friend Speaker 
Nancy Pelosi has chosen to step down from leadership. We will never see 
someone like Speaker Pelosi ever again in our lifetime.
  But her potential successor will be history-making in its own right. 
After today's vote, it is largely expected that the new House 
Democratic leader will be my friend and fellow Brooklynite Hakeem 
Jeffries. Hakeem Jeffries' elevation as House Democratic leader is a 
turning point in the history of the U.S. Congress. Never before has an 
African-American leader, or any leader of color, held the top position 
for either party in either Chamber.
  With yesterday's vote on Respect for Marriage and today's vote for 
House Democratic leader, our representative democracy continues to 
march forward toward its promise of equality and full representation 
for all Americans.
  Now, I have known Hakeem Jeffries for a long time, since before the 
days he was first elected to the New York State Assembly in 2006. When 
I first met him, I thought the same thing I thought when I first met 
Speaker Pelosi: Here is someone who has it all.
  We have taken similar roles in our lifetimes. We both grew up in 
Brooklyn, where I was the son of an exterminator and he was the son of 
a social worker. We both went to New York City public schools and both 
served in the New York State Assembly before coming to Congress.
  It is not surprising that House Democrats are turning to someone from 
Brooklyn to lead the way next year because, when you are from Brooklyn, 
you learn quickly traits like persistence and serious mettle. It is a 
crowded place and a diverse place. You learn how to work with all kinds 
of different people. You learn how to stand your

[[Page S6868]]

ground. You learn to not take things personally.
  Hakeem Jeffries exemplifies all of these traits. He is someone whom I 
know will both hold the line on our Democratic values while being ready 
to listen and keep an open mind. I know he can work with the other side 
whenever it is necessary. Most importantly, he is dedicated to making 
our country a better, more prosperous place for all people from all 
walks of life.
  So today is a very good day for the House of Representatives, for our 
party, and for our country. I congratulate my friend Hakeem on his 
historic election as House Democratic leader, and I can't wait to talk 
to my neighbor from Brooklyn four or six times a day like I did with 
Speaker Pelosi.