Representative Hakeem Jeffries is in line to become Speaker of the House when the new Congress convenes in January, after Democrats won control of the chamber in Tuesday’s midterm elections.
Jeffries, the New York Democrat who currently serves as House minority leader, is expected to lead the Democratic majority, according to NBC News and NewsNation. The full House must still vote on the speakership once the new Congress meets, but with Democrats holding a clear majority, his election is widely expected.
NBC News projected Democrats gaining 28 seats for a total of 258, compared with 177 for Republicans, although dozens of races were still uncalled as of Wednesday. The Associated Press described the outcome as a shockingly decisive rebuke of Republican governance in Washington.
A historic moment for the House
Jeffries would become the first Black Speaker in American history, a milestone that reflects how far the Democratic leadership has changed in a generation. He took over as Democratic leader in 2023, succeeding Nancy Pelosi, and has spent the past two years building the party’s campaign operation.
His path to the Speaker’s chair runs through the uncalled races still being counted. According to one tracker, 68 House races were still uncalled as of midday Wednesday, so the final margin may shift before the new Congress is seated.
What a Jeffries speakership means
A Democratic House gives the party subpoena power to run investigations, according to market analysis of the result, and a say over spending, the debt ceiling and any further military action. Analysts have already warned that a fight over the debt ceiling in 2027 could become the new majority’s main bargaining chip.
President Donald Trump told CNBC he could work with Democrats on many more things than people understand, striking a conciliatory note. Whether that translates into legislation will be the first test of the new Speaker.
