Hakeem Jeffries Projects Calm as Tests Await in Post-Pelosi Era

Congress was careening toward the debt ceiling deadline and a key procedural vote was short on support, when Rep. Hakeem Jeffries made a move. Standing on the House floor, the minority leader from New York silently held up a green card.

It signaled to scores of fellow Democrats to approach the dais and turn in their green voting cards, providing the “ayes” to push a compromise forward. The wait forced Republicans to put up votes for the deal, while also making clear that Democrats were the ones providing the majority of the muscle to avert a potentially disastrous default.

“Well played,” ...