Skip to contentSwipe for next articleIndependent Bulletin homepageDownload our appAllNewsSportCultureLifestyleWant to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Membership today.Join todayAlready a member? Log inRichard CowanWednesday 04 November 2026 07:35 GMTHouse Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries speaks at a Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC) midterm election night watch party as election results point toward Democrats regaining control of the US House of Representatives (Reuters)New York Representative Hakeem Jeffries will become the first Black Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives when the new Congress convenes in January, ending four years of Republican control.Jeffries plans to lead with an "affordability first" legislative slate—aiming to reinstate expired child tax credits, fund housing assistance, and reverse steep Republican cuts to Medicaid enacted under the Trump administration.House Democrats intend to intensify congressional investigations into the Trump administration’s ties to corporate donors, though Jeffries has refrained from pursuing a third presidential impeachment in favor of broader governance and oversight.Known as a consensus-builder, Jeffries must balance party moderates against incoming progressives who are demanding concessions on universal healthcare, public housing, and halting offensive weapons to Israel.Because President Trump holds veto power and can block Democratic legislation, Jeffries will face the dual challenge of managing base expectations while negotiating must-pass bipartisan bills to raise the debt ceiling and prevent government shutdowns.In fullMidterm election 2026 results live: Trump left threatening ‘Veto’ after Democrats win control of House and SenateMore bulletinsThank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in