No drama: Dems want Jeffries as speaker

IN THIS EDITION

If Dems win House, it’s Jeffries’ gavel

Trump gets his Indiana revenge

Trump pauses ‘Project Freedom,’ cites progress with Iran

House Dems demand answers on Iran war costs

What we’re watching

THE TOP

If Dems win House, it’s Jeffries’ gavel

Happy Wednesday morning.

For the last 15-plus years, hardline conservative Republicans have tormented their speakers and wannabe-speakers, forcing two out of office and ruining the lives of others.

But progressives are lining up behind Hakeem Jeffries as the next speaker if House Democrats win the majority in November, despite the anti-establishment fervor sweeping over the party base.

While a smattering of progressive Democratic candidates have expressed skepticism that Jeffries is the right person to lead the caucus, rank-and-file House Democrats see Jeffries as their pick next year — provided they win first — according to interviews with dozens of House Democratic insiders.

In President Donald Trump’s second term, Democratic voters have accused their party’s congressional leadership of mounting a weak or ineffective response to Trump and the MAGA movement. Much of that ire has focused on Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, who was ripped by the left — as well as many House Democrats — for backing a March 2025 government funding bill.

The anger at Jeffries, who’s less well-known nationally, is more muted. In the House, there’s little appetite for change among the rank-and-file House Democrats who will decide Jeffries’ fate.

The dynamics. Jeffries has won plaudits from all corners of the Democratic Caucus for successfully driving the political narrative even while in the minority.

Jeffries has held his caucus united on key votes. Plus, he led a successful discharge petition strategy highlighted by the move to extend the ACA tax credits.

Progressives are also happy with Jeffries’ aggressive response to the Republican redistricting effort, especially in Virginia.

“He stood up strong in this healthcare fight, on the ICE funding fight and then not just taking the gerrymandering lying down, but actually fighting back,” Congressional Progressive Caucus Chair Greg Casar (D-Texas) said. “If we win the majority, I expect that he’ll be speaker.”

And frankly, there’s currently no plausible alternative to lead House Democrats.

“I haven’t heard of a single person who has said, ‘I’m gonna take on the leader.’ Not a single person. So then it’s all just theoretical, right?” Rep. Becca Balint (D-Vt.) said.

Members we spoke to dismissed the anti-Jeffries saber-rattling as rhetoric that some candidates use to raise money and differentiate themselves in primary elections.

“I think some of the people that complain are likely not to be coming to Congress in any way,” Rep. Mark Pocan (D-Wis.) said. “I am quite confident that the next speaker will be Hakeem Jeffries.”

Jeffries and the left. Jeffries used to spar far more prominently with progressives when he was caucus chair. In 2021, Jeffries founded Team Blue PAC, alongside more moderate Reps. Josh Gottheimer (D-N.J.) and Terri Sewell (D-Ala.), to help incumbents fend off left-wing primary challenges. This put Jeffries at odds with groups like Justice Democrats and strained the New York Democrat’s relationship with his left flank.

Team Blue PAC is now dormant.

Jeffries also has close ties to pro-Israel groups, a connection quickly becoming less common inside the Democratic Party.

In recent years, Jeffries has worked behind the scenes to repair relationships with the left wing in his caucus. Jeffries faced a short-lived primary challenge from Chi Ossé this cycle, but Ossé dropped out after New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani opposed the primary bid.

Plus, Jeffries enjoys strong support from moderates, like Problem Solvers Caucus Co-Chair Tom Suozzi (D-N.Y.).

“Jeffries is doing a fantastic job as the leader, and if the Democrats win the majority, it’s absolutely certain that he will be the speaker,” Suozzi said.

CBC dynamics. If Democrats win, Jeffries would become the first Black speaker, a historic milestone for the Congressional Black Caucus, the House and the country. He would immediately become the most important Democrat in Washington until the party picks a presidential nominee, able to force showdowns with Trump on a variety of issues.

Yet Jeffries would quickly face the Trump impeachment question as well, something House Democratic leaders duck right now.

The Pelosi angle. Former Speaker Nancy Pelosi faced a tougher path getting back the speaker’s gavel following her party’s 2018 victory. While Democrats took the majority that cycle, a number of moderates in swing districts won their races while pledging to oppose Pelosi’s leadership. The California Democrat broke the dissenters down and reclaimed the speaker position.

Jeffries’ style. Every conversation about Jeffries’ leadership draws comparisons to Pelosi. House Democrats acknowledge that while Pelosi used an iron fist with a velvet glove, Jeffries is more conciliatory, relying on goodwill and quiet prodding within his caucus to get things done.

Jeffries and Pelosi often can be seen having long conversations together on the House floor during votes. Pelosi has helped deal with some thorny issues, such as former Rep. Eric Swalwell’s (D-Calif.) scandal and former President Joe Biden’s collapsing candidacy in 2024.

But the New York Democrat also approaches every decision by trying to reach a consensus among his caucus. This can sometimes frustrate lawmakers looking for more direction from tough votes by Republicans. A recent example was the 2025 Boulder attack resolution, which divided the caucus and is returning to haunt center-left Democrats seeking higher office.

Jeffries, though, has adopted a more confrontational approach in recent months, especially with Trump. Jeffries went all-in on the redistricting wars, starting with California. In social media posts, he has wielded baseball bats and cursed out Trump.

Jeffries, along with House Minority Whip Katherine Clark and Caucus Chair Pete Aguilar, have formed an effective trio atop the Democratic Caucus after taking over from the old guard of Pelosi, Steny Hoyer and Jim Clyburn.

— Max Cohen

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PRIMARY PROBLEMS

Trump gets his Indiana revenge

President Donald Trump got his retribution Tuesday night in Indiana against the state senators who defied his redistricting demands last year.

It couldn’t have come at a better time for him.

At least five of the seven Republican state senators facing Trump-backed challengers lost renomination, including state Sen. Travis Holdman, the chair of the Indiana GOP Senate caucus.

But at least one of those Republicans who voted against the redistricting proposal in December, state Sen. Greg Goode, won his primary. Another, state Sen. Spencer Deery, was in a race too close to call as of late Tuesday night.

Ever since a majority of Indiana state senators rejected redistricting, Trump has vowed to make them pay at the ballot box.

Trump’s success on Tuesday could have real implications for southern states that are now considering whether to redistrict after the Supreme Court gutted Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act last month. Indiana proved there are serious consequences for any Republican state legislators resisting Trump on redistricting.

Meanwhile, Tennessee lawmakers are in the middle of a three-day special session to determine whether to draw out Democratic Rep. Steve Cohen in Memphis. And legislators in South Carolina could also erase the district of Democratic Rep. Jim Clyburn. Alabama and Louisiana Republicans are working on redistricting plans, too.

GOP leaders in the South Carolina legislature said they’re unsure they have the requisite votes for a new map. But the results in Indiana may nudge some of those lawmakers toward redistricting.

Ohio primaries. Rep. Marcy Kaptur (D-Ohio) will get a rematch with the man she beat last cycle. Republican Derek Merrin won over a crowded primary field for the nomination.

A few noteworthy things about this race: redistricting put Kaptur in a slightly tougher seat this cycle. And a third-party candidate helped Kaptur likely prevail in 2024. But the environment is looking much better for Democrats in 2026.

In southwestern Ohio, Republican Eric Conroy will take on Democratic Rep. Greg Landsman. And Democrat Brian Poindexter will face Rep. Max Miller (R-Ohio).

– Ally Mutnick

IRAN WAR LATEST

Trump pauses ‘Project Freedom,’ cites progress with Iran

We are tracking two developments of huge interest to Capitol Hill regarding the war on Iran.

Project Freedom pause. After top Trump administration officials spent all Tuesday trying to explain “Project Freedom” — the U.S. effort to reopen the Strait of Hormuz to civilian shipping — President Donald Trump announced he was suspending the mission.

Trump cited ongoing talks with Iranian officials as a reason for the delay. However, Trump said the Navy’s blockade of Iranian ports would continue.

According to a Trump post on Truth Social, “Project Freedom (The Movement of Ships through the Strait of Hormuz) will be paused for a short period of time to see whether or not the Agreement can be finalized and signed.”

Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Joint Chiefs of Staff Chair Gen. Dan Caine spoke extensively about Project Freedom on Tuesday, saying U.S. combat operations against Iran were over and that this operation was what American officials were focused on.

Oil prices eased slightly following Trump’s pronouncement as financial markets welcomed potential signs that the U.S.-Iran tensions may be easing.

Rubio on the WPA. Rubio said at the White House Tuesday that he believes the War Powers Act is unconstitutional and the Trump administration only complies with “elements” of it.

Here’s the quote from Rubio:

The thrust of Rubio’s remark is that the Trump administration doesn’t really care much about the War Powers Act or Congress’ role on Iran. Rubio says that the administration is complying with some of the law and seems comfortable with that fact. This view is important to consider when you see Democrats and a handful of Republicans threatening to force votes on war powers resolutions.

– Jake Sherman and John Bresnahan

HOUSE DEMS

House Dems demand answers on Iran war costs

News. Five House Democratic ranking members, led by top Oversight Committee Democrat Robert Garcia (Calif.), are demanding President Donald Trump provide answers publicly on the economic cost of the war on Iran.

“Amid a worsening affordability crisis, Americans deserve to know whether your Administration considered the many ways your war would increase the day-to-day cost of living, and what steps you are now taking to protect Americans from the fallout of your foolhardy rush to war,” the Democrats wrote in a letter sent Wednesday.

Given House Democrats are in the minority, we don’t expect the White House to respond here. But the effort offers a look at how Democrats are planning their message about the Iran war ahead of the fall.

Ranking Members Frank Pallone (D-N.J.), Angie Craig (D-Minn.), Jared Huffman (D-Calif.) and Don Beyer (D-Va.) are also signed on to the letter.

— Max Cohen

📆

What we’re watching

House. The House Oversight Committee will hold a transcribed interview with Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick on his relationship with Jeffrey Epstein.

Senate. The Senate is out.

Washington. President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump will participate in a 12:30 p.m. military Mother’s Day event at the White House. Trump will also participate in a Trust for the National Mall reception at 5:30 p.m.

AND THERE’S MORE

Reconciliation update. Senate Judiciary Committee Chair Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) took a step that would allow for a markup of the panel’s reconciliation text on May 19.

Grassley added the bill to Judiciary’s agenda for a meeting next week, but the minority party can request a one-week holdover of legislation or nominations listed for the first time.

Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.), who chairs the Homeland Security panel, is likely to hold a markup of his committee’s portion of the bill this month. Senate GOP leaders are aiming to put the $72 billion package funding ICE and Border Patrol on the floor the week of May 18.

News. VoteVets is airing a $300,000 digital ad buy boosting Democrat Nancy Lacore in South Carolina’s 1st District. Lacore is a retired Navy vice admiral running to succeed outgoing GOP Rep. Nancy Mace.

— Laura Weiss and Max Cohen