Key facts
- Hakeem Jeffries is the House's top-ranking Democrat and announced his speakership bid on Wednesday.
- Democrats won a majority of House seats in the US midterm elections.
- Analysts said Jeffries has met Taiwan's former leader and backed legislation supporting the island.
- Analysts said Jeffries is unlikely to pursue Nancy Pelosi's high-profile engagement with Taipei.
Hakeem Jeffries, the House's top-ranking Democrat, announced his bid for the speakership on Wednesday, November 4, 2026, after Democrats won a majority of seats in the US midterm elections. He is poised to officially become House speaker following a floor vote on the first day of the new Congress, according to the report.
Analysts said Jeffries has met Taiwan's former leader and backed legislation supporting the island, but is unlikely to follow Nancy Pelosi's example in pursuing high-profile engagement with Taipei. The report did not name the analysts or the legislation.