Career Timeline of Hakeem Jeffries: Major Achievements and Milestones

From career breakthroughs to professional milestones, explore how Hakeem Jeffries made an impact.

Hakeem Jeffries is an American politician and attorney currently serving as House Minority Leader and leader of the House Democratic Caucus since 2023. He represents New York's 8th congressional district in the U.S. House of Representatives, a position he has held since 2013. Prior to his congressional service, Jeffries served three terms in the New York State Assembly from 2007 to 2012.

Sections (4)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

1965: Supreme Court decision on the 1965 Voting Rights Act

In November 2014, as Congressional Black Caucus whip, Jeffries was actively involved in addressing special orders on the House floor, including regarding voting rights after the Supreme Court decision on the 1965 Voting Rights Act.

1997: Green's run for New York City Public Advocate

In 2000, when Jeffries challenged incumbent assemblyman Roger Green, he criticized Green for inattentiveness to his constituents' needs and preoccupation with pursuing higher office after the incumbent had run for New York City Public Advocate in 1997.

2000: Challenging incumbent assemblyman Roger Green

In 2000, while a lawyer at Paul Weiss, Hakeem Jeffries challenged incumbent assemblyman Roger Green in the Democratic primary, but lost, 59% to 41%.

2002: Loss in the 2002 primary

In 2002, after redistricting, Hakeem Jeffries lost the primary, 52% to 38%.

2002: Green Resignation

The 2002 redistricting left Jeffries unable to challenge Green in the 2004 Democratic primary, which took place after Sheldon Silver and Democratic leadership forced Green to resign after he pleaded guilty to billing the state for false travel expenses.

2004: Inability to challenge Green in the 2004 Democratic primary

Due to post-census redistricting, Hakeem Jeffries was unable to challenge Roger Green in the 2004 Democratic primary.

2004: Green's renomination

In 2004, Roger Green was renominated unopposed after resigning due to pleading guilty to billing the state for false travel expenses.

2006: Election to the Assembly

In 2006, after Roger Green retired, Hakeem Jeffries won the Democratic primary for the 57th district with 64% of the vote and subsequently defeated Republican nominee Henry Weinstein in the general election, securing the seat in the Assembly.

2008: Re-election to the Assembly

In 2008, Hakeem Jeffries was reelected to the Assembly, defeating Republican nominee Charles Brickhouse with 98% of the vote.

2010: Re-election to a third term

In 2010, Hakeem Jeffries was reelected to a third term in the Assembly, easily defeating Republican nominee Frank Voyticky.

January 2012: Announcement of run for U.S. House

In January 2012, Hakeem Jeffries announced that he would give up his Assembly seat to run for the U.S. House from New York's 8th congressional district.

June 11, 2012: Support from local leaders

On June 11, 2012, Hakeem Jeffries received support from former mayor Ed Koch, Congressman Jerrold Nadler, Councilman David Greenfield, Assemblyman Dov Hikind and other elected officials and community leaders at a joint event for his campaign.

2012: Support from Obama and Clinton

In 2012, President Barack Obama and President Bill Clinton together took a photograph with Hakeem Jeffries weeks before his Congressional primary against Charles Barron, which was effectively used in campaign literature.

January 3, 2013: Swearing-in to the 113th Congress

On January 3, 2013, Hakeem Jeffries was sworn in to the 113th Congress.

November 2014: Election as Congressional Black Caucus whip

In November 2014, Hakeem Jeffries was elected as the Congressional Black Caucus whip.

December 2014: "Hands up, don't shoot" protest led by CBC members

In December 2014, Hakeem Jeffries led CBC members in a "hands up, don't shoot" protest of killings of African-Americans by police.

December 2014: Visit to Eric Garner's death site

In December 2014, Hakeem Jeffries visited the Staten Island site where Eric Garner was killed and encountered Garner's mother, Gwen Carr, during a CNN news crew recording.

2014: Re-election to the House

In 2014, Hakeem Jeffries was reelected to the House without opposition.

April 2015: Introduction of the Excessive Use of Force Prevention Act of 2015

In April 2015, Hakeem Jeffries stood with Gwen Carr to announce the introduction of the Excessive Use of Force Prevention Act of 2015, which would make chokeholds illegal under federal law.

June 2015: Effort to remove Confederate flag after Charleston shootings

In June 2015, following the Charleston shootings, Hakeem Jeffries led the effort to remove the Confederate flag from sale or display on National Park Service land.

2016: Presidential Election Interference

Hakeem Jeffries repeatedly called Donald Trump's presidency "illegitimate" due to the Russian interference in the 2016 United States presidential election.

2016: Re-election to the House

In 2016, Hakeem Jeffries faced no primary challenger and defeated a Conservative Party challenger with 93% of the vote to be re-elected to the House.

2017: Response to House Republicans' budget framework

On February 24, 2017, Hakeem Jeffries responded to House Republicans' budget framework with a "dear colleagues" letter criticizing their proposed cuts to Medicaid in the tax package.

2018: Re-election to the House

In 2018, Hakeem Jeffries faced no primary challenger and was reelected with 94% of the vote.

2019: Vote in favor of the Equality Act

In 2019, Hakeem Jeffries voted in favor of the Equality Act and urged Congress members to do the same.

2020: Re-election to the House

In 2020, Hakeem Jeffries faced no primary challenger and was reelected with 84% of the vote.

2020: Remarks at AIPAC conference

In 2020, Hakeem Jeffries told an American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) conference that "back home in New York City we consider Jerusalem to be the sixth borough".

2021: Jeffries's magic minute speech

On July 3, 2021, during the 119th Congress, Hakeem Jeffries spoke for eight hours and 44 minutes in opposition to the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, breaking Kevin McCarthy's record. Jeffries discussed his background, called the bill an "all-out assault" on workers, shared stories, quoted Martin Luther King Jr., and read from Matthew 25:35–40 during his speech.

2022: Criticism of Supreme Court ruling overturning Roe v. Wade

In 2022, Hakeem Jeffries criticized the Supreme Court ruling overturning Roe v. Wade, calling it "an assault on freedom, the Constitution and the values shared by a majority of Americans".

2022: Re-election to the House

In 2022, Hakeem Jeffries faced no notable primary challenger and was reelected with 71.63% of the vote in the general election.

November 9, 2023: Rejection of ceasefire calls

On November 9, 2023, Hakeem Jeffries rejected calls for a ceasefire during the Gaza war.

November 14, 2023: Speech at the March for Israel

On November 14, 2023, Hakeem Jeffries spoke at the March for Israel, condemning antisemitism and calling for the safe return of all hostages taken captive by Hamas, and a "just and lasting peace".

2023: Multiple trips to Israel

As of 2023, Hakeem Jeffries had traveled to Israel multiple times since being elected to Congress, five times.

2023: Fundraising for Democratic Candidates and Committees

In 2023, Hakeem Jeffries raised $113 million for Democratic candidates and campaign committees, including $99 million for the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC).

2023: Vote against troop removal from Syria

In 2023, Hakeem Jeffries voted against H.Con.Res. 21, which directed President Joe Biden to remove U.S. troops from Syria within 180 days.

February 2024: Political test after George Santos expulsion

In February 2024, following George Santos's expulsion from Congress, Hakeem Jeffries helped raise $1 million for Tom Suozzi in the special election to fill the vacancy.

April 2024: Vote for military aid package supplementals

In April 2024, Hakeem Jeffries, a member of the bipartisan Congressional Ukraine Caucus, voted for military aid package supplementals for Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan.

June 2024: Hochul's Halt of Congestion Pricing Implementation

In June 2024, after New York governor Kathy Hochul indefinitely halted the implementation of congestion pricing in New York City, Politico reported that Hochul had acted in response to concerns raised by Jeffries.

August 2024: Jeffries reiterates pause on congestion pricing

In August 2024, Hakeem Jeffries reiterated that the ongoing pause of congestion pricing was "a reasonable thing to do at this moment."

October 2024: DCCC Fundraising Records

As of October 2024, the DCCC under Jeffries's control consistently set fundraising records in the 2024 election, raising $280.9 million for the cycle.

2024: Re-election to the House

In 2024, Hakeem Jeffries faced no primary challenger and was reelected with 75% of the vote.

2024: Speech at the Democratic National Convention

In 2024, Hakeem Jeffries gave a speech inspired by Psalm 30:5 at the Democratic National Convention, endorsing Kamala Harris for president and comparing Donald Trump to "an old boyfriend".