Hakeem Jeffries speaks as Dems prepare to challenge Trump's agenda

[0:00] good afternoon everyone i'm susan del bene the chair of the d triple c so excited to have you [0:07] here today um all cycle i have repeated over and over a very simple or arithmetic problem [0:15] to take back the majority we needed to net three seats and we hit that mark and then some [0:24] this historic victory was resounding and impressive in its depth and in its breadth [0:31] we saw democrats sweep all the competitive seats in pennsylvania iowa texas california wisconsin and [0:39] new jersey i'm hopeful we can sweep the competitive seats in arizona and nevada as well as more results [0:46] come in we've had wins that many outside observers and experts thought were long shots like in kentucky [0:53] ohio and even one in indiana oh and we got every single one of the harris won seats that were held [1:03] by republicans even one that some said was not beatable well it turns out they were and i know [1:13] there is one new yorker here who's especially happy with that one in this election we beat back every [1:20] republican scheme to rig the midterms from their executive orders and legal maneuvers to attack [1:27] vote by mail change campaign finance laws intimidate local election officials and even throw legal voters [1:35] off the voting rolls and every single redistricted frontliner will return to congress simply put [1:45] their gerrymandering scheme absolutely backfired and it should send a strong message to any republican [1:52] thinking of pursuing any more gerrymanders next year they do so at their own peril because it's clear [1:59] that the american people hate it when politicians try to pick their voters driving this backlash were [2:07] black voters particularly in the south rejecting the cynical efforts by republicans to dilute their [2:14] political power and their voice we warned republicans their attacks on black voters would backfire [2:21] and we saw it last night in places like alabama and north carolina where they overwhelmingly turned out [2:29] to elect democrats republicans also took latino voters for granted for this hubris we witnessed a [2:37] rejection of republicans by latinos at historic levels erasing any imaginary gains they hoped they [2:44] would get in their gerrymanders of texas and florida and despite how large our victory was last night [2:51] we are not done over the next few days and weeks we're going to make sure that every legal vote is [2:57] counted until every race across the country is certified ensuring the outcome is determined only [3:04] by the will of the american people as it should be i'm confident by then we'll gain even more seats than [3:11] we've called today each and every one will be an essential part of ensuring we have the largest [3:17] possible governing majority our victory is not just impressive because how many seats we gained [3:25] although we did gain a lot what was incredible about last night was how far we reached into deep red [3:33] territory as of this morning 254 races have been called in our favor we will at least get to 255 with [3:43] 35 races too close to call or outstanding we won in at least 21 districts that donald trump won by double [3:51] digits or more this is unprecedented in the 21st century furthermore the d triple c invested in [3:59] 35 races that have flipped from red to blue so far providing that our strategic investments and laser [4:07] focused decisions on where to expand the map from the start of the cycle paid off these results [4:14] illustrate across the board how ready the american people are for change how tired they are of the broken promises from republicans [4:21] voters sent a message that they are eager for a congress that will again be an independent and [4:29] co-equal branch of government asserting our oversight authority and exercising the power of the purse [4:35] to put a meaningful check on this administration and while the rebuke against two years of republican rule [4:41] was clear across the entire country make no mistake we won the majority district by district because of our [4:50] our amazing candidates our candidates were the secret to our success and as i have said over and over [4:57] they are our secret sauce while they all share a passion to serve they are all very unique there [5:04] were no cookie cutter candidates each and every one of them is deeply connected to their districts [5:10] in their own way we had firefighters ministers mayors veterans teachers farmers prosecutors union leaders [5:20] law enforcement doctors journalists and even a grammy award-winning musician they were all able to [5:28] transcend partisan politics in part because they are deeply rooted in their communities but also because [5:35] they are driven by a genuine desire to represent every person in their district democrats republicans and [5:44] independence they understand that the job title is representative not rubber stamp in the 120th congress under the [5:54] leadership of speaker joaquin jeffries we're going to waste no time in getting to work in pursuing an affordability agenda [6:03] rooting out the culture of corruption that has festered in washington dc these past two years [6:07] leaders i am so honored to be here with this incredible team of people who have led the way but no one more so [6:15] than our leader the future speaker of the house joaquin jeffries good afternoon everyone what an honor and [6:24] a privilege to be here with all of my distinguished colleagues in leadership right after this stunning rebuke [6:34] of mega extremism and a great night for the american people i'm so thankful for susan del bene her extraordinary [6:44] leadership and stewardship as our field general for the d triple c has brought us to this moment one of [6:56] the first decisions that i had to make as the newly elected house democratic leader was to ask susan del [7:03] bene to serve as the chair of the d triple c i'm glad that i asked and i'm even more thankful that she [7:13] accepted she's done an extraordinary job and we're deeply appreciative mike johnson was correct the polls [7:24] were wrong it wasn't simply a blue wave it was an american tsunami house democrats have decisively [7:35] taken back control of the congress we will win at least 255 seats if not more once every vote has been [7:52] tallied it's a historic majority in the 21st century democrats have taken back control of the senate [8:02] democrats have won governorships all across the country we've flipped legislative chambers in the north [8:09] in the south in the south in the east in the west and in the midwest it was a great victory for the [8:16] american people the american people have chosen the economy over extremism the american people have chosen hope [8:28] over hatred the american people have chosen common sense over corruption chaos and cruelty the american [8:41] people have chosen people have chosen house democrats because they want to see a dramatic change in [8:49] direction and that's exactly what house democrats will deliver beginning on day one we've promised to fight [8:59] for an affordable america and that's exactly what we will do and we look forward to welcoming all of these [9:07] extraordinary patriotic candidates who flip seats all across the country and we look [9:16] forward to welcoming back our extraordinary battleground incumbents every single one of whom prevailed [9:29] unlike anything we've ever really seen in a midterm election in modern american history we're humbled by [9:40] the outcome and we know we have to undertake with the seriousness of purpose a relentless effort to make life [9:53] more affordable for everyday americans for working class americans for middle class americans and for [10:01] all those who aspire to be part of the middle class we're going to fight hard for every single american [10:12] wherever you may reside we're going to fight hard for small town america we're going to fight hard for rural [10:20] america we're going to fight hard for urban america we're going to fight hard for the heartland of america we're [10:26] going to fight hard for black and brown communities all throughout America. This is a victory for the [10:33] American people and we should never doubt the resilience, the character, the courage, and the [10:44] conviction of the American people to do the right thing. It's now my honor to yield to one of my [10:55] really good friends and a classmate of mine. We came into Congress together. We've served [11:03] on this leadership journey together. She's one of the main reasons why in the minority, [11:09] Democrats have consistently governed as if we were in the majority and we're just getting started. [11:16] And so I yield to the next majority leader of the House of Representatives and someone who will be [11:25] the first woman to ever serve in that position in our 250-year journey, [11:35] the Honorable Catherine Clark. Oh my goodness. Thank you so much. And in the words of the great [11:47] Dolly Parton, it's been a long hard fight, but I see a brand new day dawning. And I want to start [11:56] by thanking our incredible leader, our next speaker, Hakeem Jeffries, for all that he has done. The [12:05] leadership of Susan Del Bene at the DCCC is nothing short of extraordinary. And I am so proud to stand [12:14] here and make history with our next majority whip, Pete Aguilar, and our next Democratic Caucus chair, [12:23] Ted Lieu. And to all of our candidates, members, staff, and supporters who fought long and hard for this [12:33] brand new day. We saw so many images of hope yesterday. People of all ages coming to the polls, crowds [12:43] celebrating. But there's one image that has stuck with me. It's the video of the memorial to Alex [12:53] Preddy and Renee Good. It is covered with I voted stickers. Hundreds and hundreds of people went to that [13:03] memorial and put that sticker there. Each one placed by an American who turned out and cast their ballot in the [13:15] ultimate act of hope. The ultimate act of faith in our democracy. People who are fighting to survive. [13:26] Not only fighting to survive under the brutality and terror of ice, but fighting to survive under the [13:34] crushing weight of a broken economy. Fighting to survive cuts to their health care. Or cuts to their SNAP benefits. [13:44] Or the hike they're seeing in their rent and mortgage and utility costs. Fighting to survive the uncertainty [13:53] of what will happen to their family tomorrow. That's who this majority is going to fight for. [14:02] The American people didn't just reject the failures and broken promises of the last two years. They [14:10] didn't just vote for damage control. They have entrusted a Democratic Congress to lead us forward to [14:19] something better. To make their lives easier. They want a system that prioritizes the working class over the [14:29] the billionaire class. An economy that rewards hard work again. And a government where the people's voice [14:38] is the one that counts. A country worthy of our children. And that is the work that we are going to start [14:48] today. And I am so glad to have a partner in all of this. In our outstanding next majority whip, Pete Aguilar. [15:04] Thank you so much, future leader Clark. It sounds good. Catherine has been just a superstar [15:14] within our caucus. And I look forward to her leadership as majority leader governing and guiding [15:20] the floor activities. Thank you to future Speaker Jeffries for the work, the determination, [15:26] the focus, the Democratic caucus, and the American people are looking forward to his leadership ahead. [15:34] And January 3rd cannot come soon enough. To Susan Dilmetting, Julie Murs, the entire DCCC team here in this [15:44] building. Will and Brooke and everybody who works in this building have just poured their heart and soul [15:51] into everything that they've done. They believed this was possible when others didn't. They had a road [15:57] map and a game plan and we're so thankful for their leadership and we're so thankful that Susan is in [16:05] this position and that she has been our absolute rock and field general as leader Jeffries says. Last [16:12] night the American people sent a very clear message. They've had enough and they're ready for change. [16:18] They've had enough of Trump's broken promises. They've had enough of rising gas prices. They've had [16:24] enough of the endless wars and they've had enough of the rampant corruption. Democrats promised a new [16:30] path forward and last night the voters delivered a mandate for it. While Republicans have spent the last [16:38] two years driving up prices, Democrats have been fighting for an affordable America for everyone. With this [16:46] majority we're going to work immediately on lowering costs, protecting health care and holding this [16:52] administration accountable. And while Democrats won across this country, the real winners are the [16:58] millions of Americans who showed up and made their voices heard. The victory belongs to those who want [17:04] a fair economy, who want hard work and know that hard work means an opportunity to buy a home, [17:12] to raise a family and to get ahead, who shouldn't have to worry about going broke if they get sick, [17:21] and who want to retire in dignity and build a better future for their kids. And this victory belongs to [17:28] all of those who are tired of the chaos, cruelty and corruption coming out of Washington. This is what [17:35] happens when Democrats build coalitions around issues that matter most. We listened to voters, we competed in [17:43] every corner of the country and we left it all on the field. And even as Republicans tried to rig [17:48] elections in their favor, Democrats were given a clear mandate by the American people from San Bernardino [17:55] to the Rio Grande Valley to Alabama to Western North Carolina to make life more affordable. Now it's our [18:03] responsibility to earn the trust of these voters every single day. The American people gave us this [18:09] majority. We're going to deliver the change that they voted for and we look forward to getting to work. [18:15] It's my honor to introduce my classmate, my friend, the Vice-Chair of the Democratic Caucus, [18:21] the future Chair of the Democratic Caucus, Ted Lew. It is an honor to be here with Speaker-elect [18:30] Hakeem Jeffries, Majority-elect Catherine Clark, Whip-elect Pete Aguilar, and our amazing, outstanding, [18:38] incredible Field General Susan Del Bene. Last night, the American people sent a clear and unmistakable [18:45] repudiation of the MAGA agenda of Donald Trump and Republicans. The last two years, the American [18:53] people saw gas prices skyrocketing, healthcare costs exploding, the risks of artificial intelligence [19:00] getting out of control. And what was the response from Trump Republicans? Putting his name on stuff, [19:09] from passports, to coins, to buildings. What was Donald Trump doing the day before the election? [19:16] He was standing in front of a Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool, talking about how they should [19:21] change the name of that Reflecting Pool, which he messed up, to the Trump Reflecting Pool. And the [19:27] American people said, enough. Stop the insanity. Stop the corruption and focus on lowering prices. [19:35] And under leadership of this amazing leadership team, Democrats listened. And that's why the [19:41] American people flipped the House and flipped the Senate. And when Democrats are in control, [19:46] we're going to focus on affordability. We will pass a bill to reverse the largest Medicaid cut in U.S. [19:52] history enacted by Republicans. We will pass a bill to restore the ACA tax credits. We will pass a bill [19:59] to stop the stupid Trump tariffs jacking up prices on Americans. And we will pass a bill to stop the [20:06] Iran war. And on the subject of net security, I just want to note that as a veteran myself, [20:11] we are all super excited with an incredibly large number of Democrats who happen to be veterans [20:17] who flipped seats last night on track to be well over 10. The American people sent a message, [20:25] Democrats are listening. I urge Trump and Republicans to do the same. Thank you, Ted. Thank you, [20:36] Susan. Thank you, Catherine. Thank you, Pete. Questions? [20:39] We have been focused relentlessly on dealing with the affordability crisis and driving down [20:59] the high cost of living. We made a promise to the country that we would fight for an affordable [21:04] America, and we intend to keep it. We need to reverse the Medicaid cuts. We need to extend the [21:10] Affordable Care Act tax credits. We need to end this reckless and costly war of choice that has [21:17] skyrocketed gas prices all across the country. And we need to stop the Trump tariffs that have [21:25] increased costs on everyday Americans by thousands of dollars per year. [21:28] Sir, are you looking at the same page, sir? Are you looking at the same page for other people? [21:38] Is Pete Hexeth still around? Questions? [21:44] Peter Jeffries, when you plan to have a conversation with President Trump, [21:48] and how do you envision actually working with someone that you yourself called the dumbest person ever to [21:53] hold that office? And you're facing calls within your own caucus to impeach him? [21:57] I haven't had a single member of the House Democratic caucus talk to me about impeachment. [22:04] We've been relentlessly focused on affordability and on accountability because the House is a separate [22:13] and co-equal branch of government. We recognize that we don't work for Donald Trump. We don't work [22:18] for J.D. Vance. We don't work for the Supreme Court. We work for the American people. [22:23] And the days of the House of Representatives functioning like a wholly owned subsidiary of [22:29] the Trump administration are over. House Democrats are going to lead a Congress that does serve as a [22:38] check and balance on an out-of-control executive branch. I have not heard from President Trump. [22:46] It's my understanding that Leader Schumer has not heard from President Trump. I look forward to talking [22:52] to the members of the House Democratic caucus when we convene early next week. I look forward to [22:59] talking to Chuck Schumer and Senate Democrats when we convene next week and charting a path forward [23:08] to bring about the type of dramatic change the American people are clearly demanding. [23:12] Second row. Governor DeSantis is already defending the man that they walked in left with 20. He [23:29] said this morning on Twitter that the map sealed and destroyed. I wondered if you could address [23:35] Governor's Congress and also if you could address the failure of Republican anti-transgender rhetoric [23:41] to stave off their losses. I have more to say about the DeSantis dummy-mander in a moment, [23:47] but let me yield to Susan DelVenny. You know, we had resounding wins. Jared Moskowitz, [23:55] Kathy Castor, Darren Soto. They tried to take those seats out. They didn't. Pia Dandia is coming [24:03] in as a new member of Congress. So despite all of their attempts to rig the system in Florida, [24:09] we had an incredible showing and all due to incredible incumbents and incredible candidates who are running. [24:16] We made clear last year when this corrupt effort to rig the midterm elections by gerrymandering [24:29] congressional maps in red states all across the country began that Republicans might start this [24:38] redistricting and gerrymandering battle. Democrats were going to finish it. And last night, that's [24:46] exactly what happened. We're thankful to the American people above all else. We're thankful to our [24:55] our incredible and courageous battleground incumbents who were put in a position where the Republicans, [25:07] like DeSantis, wanted them to step back. But on behalf of the American people, they chose to fight back. [25:16] Kathy Castor chose to run and she prevailed. Jared Moskowitz chose to run and he prevailed. [25:29] Darren Soto chose to run and he prevailed. Henry Cuellar chose to run in a redrawn district [25:40] like all of the others and he prevailed. Vincente Gonzalez chose to run in a redrawn district and he [25:49] prevailed. Don Davis chose to run in a redrawn district and he prevailed. Shamari figures, [25:57] and that was my last stop on the campaign trail with him in Montgomery, Alabama, the birthplace [26:05] of the civil rights movement. And it was a moving experience to end this campaign there. He chose to [26:11] run and he prevailed by 10 points. Marcy Cappter, the OG of the battleground member. I said that at the [26:23] battleground meeting once. Marcy Cappter looked at me. She said, what's an OG? I said, don't worry about it, [26:30] Marcy. It's something good. Marcy Cappter, the OG of the battleground members. She chose to run [26:39] in a dramatically redrawn district and she prevailed. Greg Landsman chose to run in a redrawn district [26:50] designed to defeat him and he won. It was decisive, complete and total. I want to thank those frontline [26:58] members. I want to thank our candidates like Bobby Pulido, Johnny Garcia and so many others who ran and [27:06] Pia and I want to thank Susan and the DCCC and Julie and every single member of the House Democratic [27:14] Caucus who notwithstanding that redrawn map believed it when we all said they started this, [27:23] but we're going to finish it. Yes, we can and yes, we did. Governor race is flipped in certain states. [27:41] Are you going to wait for Republicans cycle to make a move and then respond? They messed around [27:52] and now they're going to find out. [27:54] You mentioned more things you guys planned to vote on, reversing the Medicaid cuts, restoring [28:00] the ACA subsidies, ending the tariffs and ending the war. Are those all like day one votes, [28:07] week one votes, what's the timeline and then secondarily, you know, Trump is potentially going [28:11] to veto all those things. Do you expect Republicans to help you out and is there a chance that they're [28:16] already on any? We're going to have a conversation as a caucus upon our return about what the agenda [28:22] looks like, but we're going to get out of the gate fast. Let me yield to our majority leader and our [28:28] majority whip who are going to play an incredibly important role in how it all looks in the 120th [28:34] Congress. Thank you so much. We ran as affordability Democrats and every single campaign had that at [28:43] its center. Lower costs, make sure every American has health care when and where they need it that they [28:50] can afford and hold those who are enriching themselves through corruption at taxpayers' expense accountable. [28:59] And that's exactly what we're going to do. The priority, the agenda, we cannot wait to get this [29:07] big caucus together and help set that with the Speaker's vision and guidance. But I can tell you this, [29:15] that every week when we come to the floor, it is going to be the people of this country who are going [29:23] to be the focus of the work we do. And the campaign promises made are going to be promises kept. [29:31] The North Star for the Democratic caucus is going to be affordability. We've talked about it and we're [29:41] going to deliver on it. Not putting billionaires above working class people, not taking away health care, [29:47] but expanding health care, expanding opportunity, lowering the cost of housing and utilities, [29:53] lowering the costs that people face. That's going to be the agenda. But as the future Speaker said, [29:59] we're going to use the next couple weeks to have conversations with our caucus, refine that focus, [30:05] work with the committees of jurisdiction, and we're going to come out. And we're going to come out [30:10] aggressively for the American people. But we're going to lead with this vision, this inclusive vision, [30:16] to lower the cost that people face. But we're going to do it together. And we're going to do it as a [30:21] group. And we're going to do it successfully under the leadership of Speaker Jeffries and Leader Clark. [30:26] Mr. Leader, if I could just return to President Trump. He told our outlet, [30:32] I think we'll work with Democrats and we'll get along very well with them. Do you think just given the [30:37] decisive nature of this victory that there's an opening perhaps to actually work with President [30:43] Trump? And do you actually want to sit down with him in the Oval Office soon? I'm looking forward to [30:48] sitting down with the returning members of the House Democratic Caucus and the incoming members of the [30:53] House Democratic Caucus. At the same time, we've consistently made the point that we are ready, [30:59] willing and able to find bipartisan common ground with the other side of the aisle, [31:04] as long as we can bring about meaningful change on the issues that matter. And that begins with [31:11] decisively addressing the affordability crisis. The cost of living is way too high. It is out of [31:21] control. There are far too many people in this country who are working hard and playing by the rules, [31:26] but they can't thrive and they can barely survive. People in this country, hardworking American taxpayers, [31:33] middle class taxpayers, working class taxpayers who are stressed the F out. Whenever they have to go [31:41] to the grocery store, that's unacceptable. Stress the F out. Whenever they have to go to the gas station [31:49] to try and fill their tank, that's unacceptable. And they're stressed the F out whenever they have to [31:58] pay the rent or the mortgage. And so if the other side of the aisle wants to work with us to deliver [32:07] the type of bold, dramatic and decisive change the American people are demanding, we'll sit down and [32:18] we'll have that conversation. In addition to being the next chair of the House Democratic Caucus and [32:41] another history maker in this group behind me, the highest ranking Asian American ever to serve when [32:51] we start the 120th Congress, Ted Lieu, he's also led our commission on artificial intelligence designed [33:02] to make sure we protect the American people. And so let me yield to the next chair of the House Democratic [33:09] Caucus, Ted Lieu. Thank you Speaker-elect Jeffries. The Trump administration [33:15] House Republicans last year made a conscious decision to let the AI industry run wild. And that [33:22] was a bad decision politically and a bad decision on policy. Two things will change next term. We will [33:29] hold public hearings on AI. We will pass legislation, reasonable guardrails on AI. And specifically data [33:37] centers, you see huge pushback from American people for the out of control AI industry. We need to have to [33:43] put in some reasonable, sensible guardrails. Hakeem Jeffries set up a Democratic AI commission that I [33:49] co-chair with Josh Gottheimer and Valerie Fushee. And we are working on putting out a document that we'll work with [33:56] Leah Jeffries on that you'll see that will lay out some of the things that Democrats will focus on next term. [34:01] Can Americans expect a slow down in the data center as even this is logistics? [34:06] We will have conversations with leadership and with our entire caucus. [34:11] We also give a shout out to our heroic, legendary and iconic Speaker Emerita, [34:20] Nancy D'Alessandro Pelosi. We had a great conversation yesterday. Thankful for her. [34:27] Thankful for the legendary Jim Clyburn. Thankful for our incredible colleague, [34:35] former majority leader, Steny Hoyer. It's wonderful for all of us to have the opportunity to serve with [34:42] them and now to stand on their shoulders election many ways was about health care. [34:50] I've talked about reinstating Medicaid cuts, the AC tax credits, but I want to ask you about Medicare for all, [34:56] which a lot of people on the left already say support marking up the Medicare for all legislation [35:05] as we talked about, uh, what I think we all support progressives, new Dems and blue dogs [35:11] is to move forward aggressively to reverse the Medicaid cuts and to move forward aggressively [35:19] to extend the Affordable Care Act tax credits. Now with respect to how we go forward beyond that, [35:26] that's the reason why we've established five working groups on affordability. One on health care, [35:35] and that's co-convened by Representative Ocasio-Cortez and Representative Terry Sewell to work [35:42] on a path forward for us to decisively bring to life our commitment that here in America, [35:51] we want to make health care affordable for every single American so they can afford to go see a [35:59] doctor when they need one. We'll have a family conversation when we get back and certainly in [36:04] the new Congress about what's the best way to do that beyond what we know we need to do immediately, [36:13] which is fight to reverse the Medicaid cuts and extend the Affordable Care Act tax credits. [36:18] We also have established affordability working groups on housing, an affordability working group [36:24] on gas and groceries, an affordability working group on goods and utilities, and an affordability [36:35] working group on caregiving. These are the five areas where we'll be having conversations [36:42] as a House Democratic Caucus family united and committed to the goal of making life more affordable [36:52] for the American people. Last question. [36:55] The Senate Democrat majority, is it time to do a reconciliation bill across both chambers, [37:02] or should Senate Democrats kill the bill of Western? [37:06] I look forward to having a conversation with Leader Schumer, and congratulations to Leader Schumer, [37:11] congratulations to the Senate Democrats, and congratulations to all of the [37:16] the incredible public servants who are going to be serving in the House and in the Senate together. [37:23] It looks like they're going to have a decisive majority in the Senate. We are certainly going [37:28] to have a decisive majority in the House. We will pick up at least 40 seats without losing a single [37:39] Democratic incumbent. And as Susan indicated, they're still counting in about 30 or 35 other seats. [37:49] That's with us landing at around 254-255. That's a stunning repudiation of MAGA extremism, [38:02] and an incredible victory for the American people. So let me end by simply saying to everyday Americans [38:11] who want us to bring about dramatic change and make their lives more affordable, we hear you, we see you, [38:19] we feel you, and we're committed to making life better for you. Thank you, everyone.