{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "rows": [["https://clyburn.house.gov/congressman-clyburn-floor-remarks-nominating-hakeem-jeffries-for-speaker-of-the-house/", "CONGRESSMAN CLYBURN FLOOR REMARKS NOMINATING HAKEEM JEFFRIES FOR SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE", "2023-01-06", "2023", "2023-01", "Democrat", "House", "SC", "James E. Clyburn", "C000537", "clyburn.house.gov", "clyburn", "https://clyburn.house.gov/press-releases/", "scraper", "Click image above to watch Congressman Clyburn\u2019s nominating speech\n\nWASHINGTON, D.C \u2013 Today, Assistant Democratic Leader James E. Clyburn made the following remarks to nominate Representative Hakeem Jeffries (NY-08) to be speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives:\n\nAs Prepared for Delivery\n\n\u201cMadam Clerk: I rise to nominate my friend, colleague, and leader of the House Democratic Caucus, Hakeem Jeffries for Speaker of the United States House of Representatives. I want to begin by thanking you for your contribution to maintaining the dignity and honor of this august body.\n\n\u201cThe eyes of the country are on us today, let us consider what they will remember. I often refer to this Hall as America\u2019s classroom. The proceedings we undertake in this body, and our actions, should serve as lessons for those who may be watching and or listening.\n\n\u201cHopefully that which they see and hear will help them gain understanding and appreciation for the greatness of America and the goodness of the American people. This body has a unique role in this government. What we do, and how we do it, will determine whether our pursuit toward a \u201cmore perfect union\u201d can continue in earnest.\n\n\u201cNo day in recent history underscores the importance of that pursuit more than January 6, 2021. Exactly two years ago today, our resolve was tested when a violent mob of insurrectionists attacked our Capitol, threatened the integrity of this democracy, and undermined our Constitution. The greatness of this country \u2014 and the resiliency of our democracy \u2014 were put at peril, but we survived.\n\n\u201cThe preamble of the Constitution explains that the document was established in part to \u201csecure the Blessings of Liberty\u201d not just to ourselves, but also to our Posterity.\u201d In this body, we are tasked with protecting our nation\u2019s hard-earned principles of liberty, justice, and freedom for all. Every two years, the American people evaluate our stewardship and render a verdict.\n\n\u201cLast November they invested their time and resources, going to the polls, and casting their votes. They expect and should get a just return on their investments. For many, maybe most Americans, this is the only investment they will ever make to help preserve the greatness of this country. For the first time in over 200 years, after 11 rounds of voting, we are unable to organize and begin to work on behalf of those who elected us to serve.\n\n\u201cDemocrats are offering a candidate for Speaker, Hakeem Jeffries, who is not just prepared to lead, but committed, to preserving this democracy and enhancing this august body.\n\n\u201cMadam Clerk, there is some dispute among historians as to whether Alexis de Tocqueville said this, but I consider it to be true regardless. De Tocqueville is credited in some quarters, with having said, \u201cAmerica is great because she is good. If America ceases to be good, America will cease to be great.\u201d\n\n\u201cThe greatness of America lies in the goodness that exists within the American people. Today, the greatness of our nation hangs in the balance because the goodness of the American people is at stake.\n\n\u201cWe Democrats are offering the people of America, through this unique body, a good man who has the best interests of the American people at heart and is committed to preserving the fundamental principles that make this country great.\n\n\u201cMadam Clerk, I\u2019m honored to carry out the directive of the House Democratic Caucus and submit to this August body the name of Hakeem Jeffries to be Speaker of the United States House of Representatives.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T23:08:17Z"]], "columns": ["url", "title", "date", "year", "month", "party", "chamber", "state", "member_name", "bioguide_id", "domain", "scraper", "source", "date_source", "text", "has_text", "collected_at", "updated_at"], "primary_keys": ["url"], "primary_key_values": ["https://clyburn.house.gov/congressman-clyburn-floor-remarks-nominating-hakeem-jeffries-for-speaker-of-the-house/"], "units": {}, "query_ms": 0.7004090584814548, "source": "dwillis/congress-press", "source_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press", "license": "MIT", "license_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press/blob/main/LICENSE"}