Chairman Aguilar Nominates Leader Jeffries for Speaker of the House
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, House Democratic Caucus Chair Pete Aguilar delivered floor remarks nominating Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries for Speaker of the House. Below is a full transcript of his remarks.
CHAIRMAN AGUILAR: Thank you, Mister Clerk.
I've had a little bit of practice and clearly, my colleagues took notice.
I rise to place a name in nomination, but first, I want to acknowledge my colleague from Michigan for her heartfelt and personal nominating speech. As someone who has given a few of these, I can say you served your Conference well, Representative McClain.
But, Mister Clerk, today I rise on behalf of the governing majority of the House of Representatives.
The American people have sent a strong message that they want their elected leaders working together to tackle the affordability crisis.
There is only one leader in this Chamber with a track record of compromise, conviction, and compassion.
There is only one leader who understands the needs of the working people and has lived the American Dream himself and is committed to ensuring its promise for future generations.
There is only one leader who knows how to negotiate a bipartisan deal, and then stick to that deal.
House Democrats are united behind the most powerful legislative leader in this chamber, Hakeem Jeffries of Brooklyn.
House Democrats, under the leadership of Hakeem Jeffries, are committed to bipartisanship and common sense solutions to America’s most pressing challenges.
In the face of chaos and dysfunction over the last two years, our Caucus has kept the government funded, kept our allies protected, and the economy secured from the catastrophic default.
In the 119th Congress, we will work with the incoming Administration to make life better, safer, and more affordable for working families. And the incoming Administration must also recognize that while my colleagues on the other side of the aisle are divided, and while compromise remains a dirty word for so many Republicans, Congress won’t be able to keep the lights on, let alone pass anything of substance, without the buy-in and blessing of House Democrats and Hakeem Jeffries.
Make no mistake: Democrats want to bring down the cost of living, build more housing, and lower the cost of everyday items like food, medicine, and child care. Even as the extreme rhetoric rises in this Chamber, and in the public square, we will not stop advocating for the policies that do the most good for the most people.
Because of Hakeem’s leadership, we will never abandon our values or sacrifice our bedrock principles of freedom and democracy.
When America’s enemies abroad threatened our Democratic ally Ukraine, when terrorists attacked our strongest ally Israel, it was Hakeem Jeffries and House Democrats who delivered the votes and stood tall for America’s national security.
When the least, the lost, and the left behind were threatened with devastating cuts, Hakeem Jeffries stood with America’s mothers, children, and veterans.
When the incoming Administration wanted to raise the debt limit by trillions of dollars in order to finance tax cuts for the wealthy, the well-off, and the well-connected—leaving middle class families to pay for the bill and leaving them high and dry—Hakeem Jeffries didn't just say “no," he said … [Members chant “hell no!”].
That’s why there is only one true candidate today for Speaker.
So, Mister Clerk, I am honored to rise today at the direction of the House Democratic Caucus, to place into nomination for election to the position of Speaker of the House of Representatives, the pride of Brooklyn, the gentleman from New York, Hakeem Jeffries.
Video of the full floor speech can be viewed here.
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