Pete Aguilar: “Madam Clerk, I rise to nominate Hakeem Jeffries of New York for Speaker of this House. Madam Clerk, I speak on behalf of…”

“Madam Clerk, I rise to nominate Hakeem Jeffries of New York for Speaker of this House. Madam Clerk, I speak on behalf of the Democratic Caucus when I say that there is no victory in adjourning without doing the business of the people. Madam Clerk, House Democrats are united behind a champion of expanding and protecting the right to vote. Since the beginning of 2021, 21 State legislatures have passed 42 restrictive voting laws. Hakeem has stood up against voter suppression in the new Jim Crow era every step of the way. As we begin a new Congress, we need a leader who believes in strengthening democracy, who understands that to cast a vote is a sacred responsibility that should be afforded to the many, not the privileged or the select few. Hakeem understands that in order for us to be a more perfect Union, we can't deny the voices of individuals in the democratic process. Madam Clerk, today, we affirm our support of the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act. Madam Clerk, that is why I am directed by the Democratic Caucus to advance the name of Hakeem Jeffries from New York as Speaker. The CLERK. The Clerk recognizes the gentleman from North Carolina (Mr. Bishop).”