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Jeffries Faces Steep Test as Far Left Builds Strength in Congress
The New York Times • • nation
Key Points:
- In 2018, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, newly elected to Congress, protested outside Nancy Pelosi’s office demanding stronger climate action, initially withholding support for Pelosi as speaker before eventually backing her.
- Now, Representative Hakeem Jeffries, Pelosi’s successor as House Democratic leader, faces a similar challenge from Darializa Avila Chevalier, a 32-year-old democratic socialist who recently defeated one of his longtime allies in a New York primary.
- Chevalier represents a growing faction of far-left progressives reshaping the Democratic caucus and potentially complicating party leadership dynamics in the House.
- While Jeffries is expected to become the first Black House speaker if Democrats win the majority, these anti-establishment members could create internal divisions that hinder his leadership, similar to challenges faced by the Republican majority in recent years.
