Home Democratic Chief Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) mentioned on Sunday it’s essential for his social gathering to stay calm and be bodily current at first of the subsequent Congress, pointing to the traditionally slim margin between the 2 events within the decrease chamber.
“It’s important for us to stay calm, stay present at all times, because the margin is going to be extremely narrow during the first days of the new administration,” Jeffries mentioned in an interview on MSNBC’s “Inside with Jen Psaki,” when requested about navigating the transition into the subsequent Congress.
Jeffries famous that the margin will likely be even nearer within the first few months. Since President-elect Trump tapped some sitting members of Congress to serve in his administration, it’ll take a while for his or her seats to be stuffed.
“The margins will be about 217 Republicans and 215 Democrats,” Jeffries mentioned. “Even at full strength, House Republicans will be at 220, we’ll be at 215. That’s the narrowest majority of any party since 1931.”
Jeffries mentioned Democrats might want to leverage the GOP’s slim majority by displaying up constantly and staying united on key points.
“We’ve got to stay calm through all of the turbulence that the Republicans are going to try to visit on the American people,” Jeffries mentioned.
“In order to defend hardworking American taxpayers, we have to be present and in Washington to make sure that our leverage can shine through on behalf of the American people,” he continued. “And we, of course, have to stay unified in fighting for the things that matter, which first and foremost is to lower costs for everyday Americans, for working-class Americans, and for Middle Class Americans.”