Hakeem Jeffries

Democrat Representative of New York's 8th district

Representative
New York, district 8
January 3, 2013 - January 3, 2015
Representative
New York, district 8
January 6, 2015 - January 3, 2017
Representative
New York, district 8
January 3, 2017 - January 3, 2019
Representative
New York, district 8
January 3, 2019 - January 3, 2021
Representative
New York, district 8
January 3, 2021 - January 3, 2023
Representative
New York, district 8
January 3, 2023 - January 3, 2025

202-225-5936

@RepJeffries

jeffries.house.gov

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Congresses Served

House Terms

August 4, 1970 (54 years old)

Birthday

Served as House Minority Leader and Leader of the House Democratic Caucus since 2023
U.S. representative for New York’s 8th congressional district since 2013
Member of the New York State Assembly from 2007 to 2012
Born and raised in Crown Heights, Brooklyn
Attended New York University for law school, graduating with honors
Became a successful corporate lawyer before entering politics
Chaired the House Democratic Caucus from 2019 to 2023
First African American to lead a party in either chamber of the United States Congress
Early supporter of Barack Obama during his first presidential campaign
Advocated for bipartisan criminal justice reform, including legislation on stop-and-frisk database restrictions and ending inmate-based gerrymandering
Played a key role in passing the First Step Act and the Music Modernization Act
Known for connecting with constituents through “Congress on Your Corner” events
Served on several State House Committees and in the U.S. House on the Judiciary and Budget Committees
Selected as one of the House managers for the first impeachment of President Donald Trump
Described as a centrist willing to work with Republicans on shared goals
Advocates for increased background checks for gun owners, a ban on assault weapons, abortion rights, LGBTQ rights, and environmental issues
Supports cannabis legalization and has called for reform of cannabis arrest policies
Firm supporter of Israel’s right to exist and defend itself
Has been involved in efforts to remove the Confederate flag from National Park Service land following the Charleston church shooting
Introduced legislation to make chokeholds illegal under federal law following Eric Garner’s death
Criticized the Supreme Court ruling overturning Roe v. Wade and supports the Women’s Health Protection Act
Married with two sons and lives in Prospect Heights, Brooklyn
Brother is an associate professor of history, and they are nephews of Leonard Jeffries, a former professor with controversial views