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
6
Congresses Served
6
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