Hakeem Jeffries Threatens Action Against Democratic Lawmakers Over Anti-Socialism Vote

<p>House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., stated on Thursday that he may pursue a "serious response" against two Democratic lawmakers following their support for a procedural rule that advanced an <a href="https://foxnews.com/politics/house-dems-overwhelmingly-reject-anti-socialism-resolution-moderates-defy-jeffries" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">anti-socialism resolution</a> and other Republican-backed measures. This statement was made during an appearance on "The Don Lemon Show." </p><p>Jeffries noted that Democratic leadership viewed the actions of Reps. Jared Golden, D-Maine, and Marie Gluesenkamp Perez, D-Wash., as significant enough to refer the matter to the House Democratic Caucus’ Committee on Caucus Rules for potential action. </p><p>"We indicated that it was a significant breach that requires a serious response," Jeffries said. "And we have referred the matter to the committee on caucus rules for further discussion and action." </p><p>In response, Golden’s office clarified that his vote was intended to support legislation beneficial to Maine’s lobster industry rather than to assist Republicans politically. Communications Director Mario Moretto stated, "The Congressman’s vote on the rule was about advancing a critical bill for his district, the Northeast Lobstermen Protection Act," emphasizing that Golden had communicated this clearly to his colleagues. </p><p>Fox News Digital reached out to Jeffries and the Democratic National Committee for comment but did not receive an immediate response. </p><p>The House roll call indicated that the rule, H. Res. 1499, passed with a vote of 210-208, with 207 Republicans, Golden, Gluesenkamp Perez, and one independent voting in favor. Five Republicans opposed the rule, meaning the measure would have failed without the two Democratic votes. This rule authorized consideration of H.R. 9436, Golden's Northeast Lobstermen Protection Act, along with the resolution condemning socialism and other legislation. </p><p>Golden’s bill later <a href="https://clerk.house.gov/Votes/MemberVotes" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" target="_blank">passed the House 219-196</a>. The legislation aims to extend until 2035 a moratorium on certain new regulations intended to protect the endangered North Atlantic right whale. Golden’s office stated that these regulations could threaten Maine’s lobster industry, while additional time would allow regulators to collect better data. </p><p>Golden expressed his support for the bill's passage, highlighting his commitment to bipartisanship. He stated, "This bill is a big win not only for fishermen in <a href="https://www.foxnews.com/category/us/us-regions/northeast/maine" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Maine</a>, but for bipartisanship in Congress. While the threat of unnecessary, industry-killing regulations is a matter of survival for lobster harvesters in Maine, the issues at play affect fishermen across the Northeast." </p><p>Jeffries' remarks followed a joint statement from Democratic leaders condemning Golden and Gluesenkamp Perez for their votes, accusing them of blindsiding the caucus on a procedural vote that was close to failing. Jeffries, along with House Minority Whip Katherine Clark, D-Mass., and House Democratic Caucus Chair Pete Aguilar, D-Calif., requested that the caucus rules committee address the matter promptly. </p><p>Gluesenkamp Perez also defended her vote in a <a href="https://gluesenkampperez.house.gov/posts/rep-marie-gluesenkamp-perez-statement-on-september-1st-rule-vote" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" target="_blank">statement</a> following the vote, emphasizing the importance of legislation affecting working waterfronts and arguing that policymakers should listen to the needs of those whose livelihoods depend on natural resources. She stated, "Working people need a seat at the table and electeds need to listen to them, not data from the 1990s."</p>