Jeffries outlines priorities as Democrats prepare to take power: ‘They want us to fight’

Accountability and impeachment

Jeffries told PBS News that he supports a resolution to impeach Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. Asked whether more impeachment efforts could follow, he did not directly answer, saying lawmakers would address matters as they arise.

Questions over Nvidia briefing

Jeffries said the Nvidia issue came up in a classified briefing about CEO Jensen Huang and a woman accused of being a Chinese spy. He said he could not discuss details because the briefing was classified.

He said members of Congress, including the Gang of Eight and the broader House and Senate, would need more briefings to assess possible damage involving the Chinese Communist Party. Jeffries said lawmakers had not received enough disclosed information to draw conclusions about when the administration learned of the matter.

Affordability and immigration

Jeffries pointed to bipartisan housing legislation passed in the current Congress, led by Maxine Waters and Republican French Hill, as a basis for future cooperation. He said Democrats would work to lower costs for housing, health care, groceries, gas and caregiving.

He described the immigration system as broken and said it should be repaired comprehensively. Jeffries said people treated unfairly by the administration, including DACA recipients, should receive remedial help and that the damage should be undone.

A new Congress takes shape

Congress returned this week as lawmakers prepared for a session beginning in January. House Republicans elected Ohio Congressman Jim Jordan as their next leader; Democrats had not yet voted on their leadership team, while Jeffries was poised to become speaker. Asked about working with Jordan, whom he had previously called a symbol of MAGA extremism and a danger to democracy, Jeffries emphasized accountability for what he described as wrongdoing.