Congressman Ted Lieu unequivocally uses his nomination of Hakeem Jeffries to highlight the vast accomplishments and leadership of Democrats over the 117th Congress.
Democrats accomplished a lot.
It took 15 ballots for the very weak Congressman Kevin McCarthy to get elected by his caucus. Each time the entire Democratic Caucus voted for Hakeem Jeffries, displaying a unity seldom associated with a generally fractious Democratic Party. More importantly, they used each opportunity to needly the Republican dysfunction.
During the ninth ballot, Congressman Ted Lieu used the opportunity to rub it in as he highlighted the robust accomplishments of Democrats in the 117th Congress.
“Madam Clerk, I rise today to nominate Hakeem Jeffries for Speaker of the House,” Ted Lieu said. “Vote after vote. Democrats stand united and ready to get to work on behalf of the American people under the leadership of Hakeem Jeffries. Vote after vote. Nomination after nomination, Democrats are united.”
Lieu then went on to the Democratic accomplishments.
“Just like we were united when we passed the American rescue plan to get our economy back on track. United when we passed infrastructure law to rebuild America. United when we capped insulin at $35, passed historic gun safety legislation, and passed a pact act to help our nation’s veterans. United when Democrats passed the Chips and Science Act to bring manufacturing back to America. United when Democrats passed the Inflation Reduction Act to reduce our deficit and protect our environment.”
Lieu then contrasted the Democrats’ unity that is ready to move forward as Republicans remained dysfunctional.
“Democrats are unified to tackle the climate crisis while Republicans are mired in their leadership crisis,” Lieu continued. “Madam Clerk. House Democrats are ready, willing, and able to get to work for the American people. We will do so under the leadership of Hakeem Jeffries, who has a plan for the American people. Therefore, as vice chair of the Democratic Caucus, I’m directed by the vote of our caucus to present for election to the office of Speaker of the House of Representatives for the 118th Congress Representative-elect from the State of New York.”Hakeem Jeffries.”
Democrats must not tire of highlighting the accomplishments of the 117th Congress, where they were in charge between now and the next election. It will be a contrast between fairly good governance and a clown show.