U.S. House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries speaks at the American Federation of Teachers national convention in Washington, D.C., July 16, 2026. (Photo by Amelia Twyman/States Newsroom)
WASHINGTON — U.S. House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries rallied a key group for his party on Thursday, telling the American Federation of Teachers’ national convention that if November’s midterm elections are successful, a majority of Democrats in the House will pursue several progressive policies.
The New York congressman addressed affordability, voting rights and what he called “the most corrupt administration in American history,” while making personal connections to convention attendees. He said he was grateful for the work of public sector workers and the unions that represent them because they were raised by two union members in a household of modest means.
“Organized labor has always been for me and organized labor is for the American people,” Jeffries said as the crowd gathered in a huge room at the Walter Hotel. The E. Washington Convention Center erupted in applause.
AFT is a 1.8 million-member union representing teachers, health care workers and public sector workers across the country. The organization hosts a national convention every two years.
The EU is the Democrats’ main benefactor. His political action committee has given more than $1.9 million to Democratic candidates and $2.1 million to the House Majority PAC, which works with House Democratic leaders, according to a campaign finance tracker. Open secrets.
Jeffries urged union members to lend a hand Democrats win enough House races in November for the party to return to the majority next year. If that happens, Jeffries will likely become Speaker of the House.
“Will we get our country back?” Jeffries asked the crowd to open his address. “Are you ready to help us regain control of the United States House of Representatives in November?”
Campaign promises
Jeffries said House Democrats would stand up to “MAGA extremists” and block efforts to undermine popular programs like Social Security and Medicare. He added that they will continue to work to reduce the cost of childcare, health care and other household expenses.
In addition to promising better living conditions for Americans, Jeffries said Democratic leaders would fight to “clean up the corruption” in President Donald Trump’s administration.
He also said they would work to end the war with Iran and stop Immigration and Customs Enforcement initiatives because the agency is “completely and completely out of control.”
This month, ICE officers fatally shot immigrants in two separate incidents in Maine and Texas.
Education in focus
Senator Raphael Warnock, a Democrat from Georgia, also spoke at the convention about the significant impact public education had on him growing up.
He said that with the support of parents and public school teachers, as well as Pell grants and student loans, he was able to become a United States senator.
What “keeps him up at night” is the fact that many children do not currently have access to the same opportunities, which he believes will reduce the number of future leaders in science, law and education.
“We need to invest in our children because we don’t know where the cure for cancer will come from,” he said.
He called, among other things, to augment teachers’ salaries.
Relationship status
AFT President Randi Weingarten also delivered her keynote address Thursday, touching on topics ranging from income inequality to the growing power of gigantic tech.
“Our union stands at the crossroads of how ordinary people gain and exercise power in our democracy – through public education, unions and voting,” she said. “This election will decide whether we are a country ruled by the people or ruled by the powerful, a country of opportunity or an oligarchy, a country whose people live in freedom or in fear.”
On Wednesday, Republicans on the U.S. House Education and Workforce Committee adopted the position first step toward disbanding the Department of Education by approving a package of 10 bills that would permanently transfer some of the department’s responsibilities to other federal agencies.
“The House and Senate have less responsibility for public education than state houses across the country,” Weingarten told reporters after her speech. “Yet the people who run the House Education and Labor Committee spend more time fighting teachers and unions and fighting for a better life for all of us… than helping children have opportunities in the capitalist system.”
