FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

December 1, 2022

MEDIA CONTACT: 

e: clarke.comms@mail.house.gov

c: 347.387.5123

Washington, D.C. — Today, Congresswoman Yvette D. Clarke (NY-09) issued the following statement regarding her vote for Congressman Hakeem Jeffries to be Leader of Congressional Democrats:

“It was with a huge sense of pride that yesterday, I cast my vote to elevate my brother and dear colleague, the Honorable Hakeem Jeffries, from Chairman of the Democratic Caucus to the Minority Leader of the House of Representatives. I consider it one of my greatest honors and a privilege of my career in Congress to be both a first hand witness and participant in the elevation of Congressman Jeffries, who is now the youngest and first person of color or Black legislator ever elected to lead a Congressional Party. And what a leader Hakeem Jeffries is. As a fellow Brooklynite, I have had countless occasions to work closely alongside Mr. Jeffries. His dedication, commitment and diligence to delivering on the progress and policy that transforms the lives of the people in the communities so dear to us has been a hallmark of his service to the people of the 8th District of New York. I have been fortunate to witness up-close both the breadth and depth of Rep. Jeffries’s compassion for his constituents, the fervor with which he legislates, the eloquence of his advocacy and the courageous, dogged determination with which he has led in Washington DC. I have no doubt that he will draw upon that same passion, tenacity, talent, skill and ability in his new role leading Democrats in Congress. Inspired by the fight against injustice, the lived experiences of the “least, the last and the lost” of our civil society, as well as an abiding love for the American people, the Constitution and a healthy respect for the rule of law, I am certain that Congressman Hakeem Jeffries will continue making history now and in the years to come. I look forward to supporting him as he does,” said Congresswoman Yvette D. Clarke.

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Yvette D. Clarke has been in Congress since 2007. She represents New York’s Ninth Congressional District, which includes Central and South Brooklyn. Clarke is a Senior Member of both the House Energy and Commerce Committee and House Committee on Homeland Security, where she serves as Chair of the Cybersecurity, Infrastructure Protection, and Innovation Subcommittee.