House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries celebrated his party’s sweep of competitive House races on Tuesday night, which will give Democrats a comfortable majority come January.
“Today begins the great American comeback,” the New York Democrat said, calling the midterm victory a “change election.”
“The American people have spoken and made clear they’ve had enough of the extremism, enough of the corruption,” he said. “They want a Congress that’s going to deliver for the American people, and that is exactly what House Democrats will do as soon as we get into office in January.”
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Mr. Jeffries is poised to become the first Black House speaker, but will first need to be nominated by his caucus and elected by the full House.
He said Democrats understand that voters are giving them congressional majorities to “deliver dramatic change.”
“We need a Congress that puts the American people first,” Mr. Jeffries said. “The wealthy, the well-off, and the well-connected tried to buy this election. The American people have responded in a resounding way and made clear that America is not for sale.”
He promised that Democrats would follow through on their affordability agenda and would work to lower costs of housing, groceries, gas and health care.
Mr. Jeffries also said Democrats would work to restore trust in Congress and “bring accountability to those who have visited unprecedented corruption on this country.”
He alluded to President Trump but did not call him out by name as he said, “if you have people in high office who are so focused on enriching themselves, their family members, their friends, or their donors, then they’re not focused on making life better for the American people.”
Mr. Jeffries said the election results are more “patriotic” than partisan.
“This is not a blue moment or a red moment,” he said. “It’s a red, white, and blue moment because America has won tonight.”
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