House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries is declaring a truce with a Democrat who defied him and helped advance Republicans’ anti-socialism resolution to a floor vote.
He previously accused Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez of committing a “breach of trust.”
On Thursday, Mr. Jeffries said he had reached an understanding with the congresswoman who voted alongside Republicans on Tuesday to advance a package of bills, including the resolution condemning socialism.
“Congresswoman Gluesenkamp Perez and I had a productive, forward-looking conversation about moving in the direction that allows the team to continue to communicate with each other in a consistent way,” said Mr. Jeffries, New York Democrat.
Ms. Gluesenkamp Perez of Washington, alongside one other Democrat, Rep. Jared Golden of Maine, cast the deciding votes to adopt the Republican rule resolution bringing the package of bills to a vote by the full House.
Defections to vote for the opposite party’s rule are extremely rare.
With their defections, the two Democrats bailed out Republican leadership, which lacked the votes to overcome a GOP revolt against the rule.
Both Ms. Gluesenkamp Perez and Mr. Golden said they voted for the rule to advance the Northeast Lobstermen Protection Act, legislation sponsored by Mr. Golden that exempts lobstermen and fishermen from environmental regulations.
Both lawmakers voted for the anti-socialism resolution in the final vote.
Initially, Democratic leaders suggested they would discipline the defectors.
“The decision by two of our colleagues to blindside the entire House Democratic Caucus and join with the Republican majority to pass a procedural rule on the brink of failing represents a significant breach of trust,” House Democratic leaders wrote in a Tuesday statement. “It is an action that necessitates a serious response, and we have asked the Committee on Caucus Rules to take this up in short order.”
Mr. Jeffries struck a conciliatory chord Thursday.
“Marie Gluesenkamp Perez, of course, is an important member of the House Democratic Caucus, fighting hard for the people that she represents in Washington,” he said. “We value every single member in our caucus.”
Ms. Gluesenkamp Perez is seeking reelection in a competitive district, one of the handful of races that could help decide who controls the House.
Mr. Jeffries did not mention Mr. Golden, who is not seeking reelection.
Asked if the caucus had abandoned the idea of punishing the members, Mr. Jeffries replied, “The caucus is engaged in a family discussion about how we all move forward together.”
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