LEADER HAKEEM JEFFRIES STATEMENT ON KEVIN MCCARTHY

Brooklyn, NY — House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries released the following statement on Kevin McCarthy’s service as the 55th Speaker of the United States House of Representatives: 

From the son of a Bakersfield firefighter to Speaker of the House, Kevin McCarthy’s journey encapsulated the power of possibility in America. In our democracy, everyday Americans can rise to the highest levels of governance and serve the communities from whence they came in the halls of Congress.

Since January, Kevin and I have had a respectful, communicative and forward-looking relationship. On many occasions, we strongly disagreed with each other. However, we agreed to disagree without being personally disagreeable in order to find common ground whenever possible. 

In that spirit, Kevin initiated the effort to form a bipartisan Select Committee on the Strategic Competition Between the United States and the Chinese Communist Party. It is my hope and expectation that this effort will continue consistent with Kevin’s vision of a serious exploration of the real challenges and constructive opportunities connected to the interaction between the two countries. Speaker McCarthy also championed the need for a thoughtful examination of the rise of Artificial Intelligence and charted a foundational path forward in terms of future legislative engagement. That effort should continue. 

I wish Speaker McCarthy, his family and dedicated staff Godspeed as he begins the next chapter in his public service and professional journey.