More than 110 new members are preparing to join Congress, and some are familiar with the job. A few incoming representatives are returning after years away from the House.
Hilda Solis, a California Democrat, left Congress in 2009 to serve as President Barack Obama’s labor secretary. Alabama Republican Jerry Carl departed early last year after losing a primary to Barry Moore, who is now headed to the Senate. And Illinois Democrat Melissa Bean, first elected in 2004, is returning after losing her seat in 2010.
Bean’s advice for new members: hire a capable scheduler and make sure meals make it onto the calendar. Without that, she said, a packed day of meetings can leave a representative hungry and shuttling from one staff member to the next.
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, a New York Democrat, is expected to become speaker in January, though some progressives have not yet pledged their support. Bean, who was considered a moderate during her previous time in Congress, described the incoming Democratic majority as largely united. She suggested that disagreements between the party’s left and center are often exaggerated in media coverage.
Still, some progressives are holding back from endorsing Jeffries. Many belong to a group known as “The Bloc,” a label that recalls the earlier “Squad.” They are seeking commitments on policy before deciding how to vote for speaker.
Incoming New Jersey Democrat Adam Hamawy said the group was undecided, rather than withholding votes, and did not intend to approve leadership without question. Melat Kiros, a Colorado Democrat-elect, said the focus should be on an agenda that reflects voters’ priorities, including the kind of legislation and floor votes the party plans to pursue. New York Democrat-elect Claire Valdez emphasized improving conditions for working people and making it easier for them to join unions.
The maneuvering is a familiar part of party politics. Democrats won a substantial majority, and progressives want to use their influence to advance their priorities. They also have reasons to show their supporters they are pressing for results, rather than backing a leader automatically.
Connecticut Democrat Joe Courtney, who has seen similar leadership disputes during Nancy Pelosi’s tenure as speaker, said the current challenge appears less serious. He praised Jeffries for keeping the caucus moving in the same direction over the past two years, calling that no small feat.
Connecticut Democrat Jim Himes said a larger majority should make the job easier than it would be with only a handful of seats to spare. Even so, he said, a new speaker has to listen to members and manage competing priorities; keeping Democrats together is always difficult.
Despite the criticism from some progressives, no alternative candidate has emerged. Courtney argued that Jeffries has no real challenger and warned against a drawn-out speaker election like the one in 2023, when Republicans took 15 rounds of voting to elect Kevin McCarthy.
Maryland Democrat Glenn Ivey said the resistance to Jeffries seemed puzzling. He compared it to a successful coach being challenged immediately after leading a team to a major victory.
Democrats’ new majority includes members who won in districts that have traditionally leaned Republican. Those representatives may have to weigh how voters will view their decision to support Jeffries—or oppose him.
Ohio Democrat-elect Don Leonard, who defeated Republican Mike Carey, said on Instagram that party leaders had warned him in forceful terms that opposing Jeffries could bring political consequences and put his reelection at risk.
There are concerns from both the progressive and centrist wings. Asked whether progressive skepticism was genuine or a negotiating tactic, Jeffries said he planned to speak with every member about the party’s recent work and what it could accomplish in the next two years. He did not directly answer whether he had secured enough votes.
When pressed, Jeffries laughed and asked whether the question was about his vote count. He said the answer would become clear the following Wednesday.
Jeffries is still widely expected to win the speaker’s gavel. Democrats are projected to hold more than 260 seats, while 218 votes are needed to win on the House floor. He would have to lose a large number of votes to fall short, particularly with no rival in the race. He also needs only 131 votes in the Democratic caucus to become its nominee.
That does not mean the party is without friction. Some tension is natural in a large coalition, and it is not simply a product of press coverage. The bigger test will come on January 3, when Jeffries is expected to take the gavel and begin managing the party’s competing factions. The current dispute may offer an early indication of the challenges ahead.
