House Democrats' anti-Jeffries caucus isn't done growing

A growing bloc of newly elected progressive House Democrats is refusing to commit to voting for Hakeem Jeffries as Speaker if their party wins the majority. According to Axios, Democratic primaries this summer have elevated several Democratic Socialists of America members who won't back Jeffries—including Darializa Avila-Chevalier and Claire Valdez in New York, and Adam Hamawy in New Jersey. Some oppose his acceptance of corporate PAC funding; others disagree with his past endorsements. While Jeffries is widely expected to become Speaker—Nancy Pelosi faced similar resistance in twenty eighteen and still secured the gavel—these progressives are signaling they won't make his tenure easy. Jeffries says he's never lost a Democratic vote for the role, but the Michigan and Missouri primaries on August fourth could expand this skeptical bloc even further.

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