Over 600,000 people have signed an online petition, urging the House Democrats to vote against Hakeem Jeffries for Speaker of the US House of Representatives after Democrats gained a thunderous majority in the midterm elections.
Over 600,000 people have signed an online petition, urging the House Democrats to vote against Hakeem Jeffries for Speaker of the US House of Representatives after Democrats gained a thunderous majority in the midterm elections.
In the petition, Whitted insisted the speaker should represent the voice of the Democratic voters rather than the party establishment.
The petition also encouraged other Democrats in the House to step forward and seek nomination for the speaker of the House.
The petition maintained that “Hakeem Jeffries is simply not the right choice” for Speaker.
Over 600,000 people have signed an online petition, urging the House Democrats to vote against Hakeem Jeffries for Speaker of the US House of Representatives after Democrats gained a thunderous majority in the midterm elections.
Over 600,000 people have signed an online petition, urging the House Democrats to vote against Hakeem Jeffries for Speaker of the US House of Representatives after Democrats gained a thunderous majority in the midterm elections. The petition in question was launched on Change.org on September 3 by Nicole Whitted.
She called on every member of the incoming 120th Congress to reject Jeffries, who is currently leading the Democrats in the House and support a different candidate. "Democrats deserve a choice," the petition said, calling for a competitive election for speaker.
In the petition, Whitted insisted the speaker should represent the voice of the Democratic voters rather than the party establishment. She went on to urge the incoming lawmakers to examine Jeffries' public record, policy positions, campaign donor record, and leadership before casting a vote. The petition also encouraged other Democrats in the House to step forward and seek nomination for the speaker of the House. So far, over 600,000 people have signed the petition.
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Jeffries' private message with Kushner under scanner
According to a New York Times report, the current House minority leader met Kushner, son-in-law of US President Donald Trump, privately, and the two men discussed areas where they could work together. However, this interaction is now under the scanner, emerging as a roadblock in the fight over who will be the next Speaker.
As per the report, published on August 23, the two met privately around that time in New York City. A source close to the matter said a wide range of topics were discussed during the meeting. They spoke about housing, immigration and the high cost of living as possible areas where they could agree. Two people told the Times that Kushner suggested Jeffries meet White House chief of staff, Susie Wiles.
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NYT also pointed out that the meeting took place while Democrats and Trump were attacking each other strongly on the campaign trail. It said the timing showed that people close to Trump knew Democrats could win the House, and wanted to build a working relationship before any change.
The Change.org petition also pointed to the private meeting as one of the reasons for opposing his bid. “He also held a private meeting with Jared Kushner, President Trump’s son-in-law and outside advisor, who himself is being investigated by the Democrats on the House Judiciary Committee," Whitted told Newsweek.
“These relationships and decisions raise serious questions for me and many of those who have signed this petition about transparency, political influence, and whose interests Democratic leadership is ultimately serving," she added. The petition maintained that “Hakeem Jeffries is simply not the right choice” for Speaker. It also states: “We believe the Speaker should represent the Democratic voters, not just the Democratic establishment.”
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