House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries hit immediate pushback on his speakership bid as newly elected progressives refused to lock in support on their first day of orientation in Washington.
Playbook reporting captured rising DSA-aligned freshmen dubbed the Bloc remain unimpressed after knocking off Democratic incumbents. The agenda that Ive seen so far presented is not going to cut it, Colorado Rep.-elect Melat Kiros said, adding that without a bold agenda were going to need somebody whos actually going to be willing to fight for one like that.
New York Reps.-elect Claire Valdez and Darializa Avila Chevalier plus New Jerseys Adam Hamawy all said they are uncommitted or still deciding, citing constituent calls urging them not to back Jeffries. Progressive Caucus Chair Greg Casar said he expects members will ultimately deliver votes after Jeffries outlines a proactive, populist, powerful agenda, while one source described a closed-door session as a veiled lecture about not pursuing Medicare for all.
People are pissed, Kiros said, and theyll also be pissed at us if we dont actually do something with them. A Change.org petition urging a different speaker had topped one million verified signatures by Monday morning, arguing the speakership should answer Democratic voters rather than the party establishment.
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