Jeffries is now on a clear path to be elected speaker in January, CNN reports. The job is second only to the vice president in the line of presidential succession, CNN says. It would hand him control of a resurgent Democratic party in Trump's final two years in office.

Jeffries will likely become the first Black House speaker in congressional history, CNBC reports, provided he wins support from a majority of the Democratic caucus once the new Congress is seated.

That gavel is not yet a guarantee, CNN says. Jeffries still needs to win over incoming Democratic socialists who say current leaders have failed to meet the moment. He also faces doubts from the party's activist wing over his views on issues like Medicare for All and Israel, CNN reports.

Soon after Jeffries arrived in the House in 2013, a group of senior Black Democrats began meeting to plan for him to one day replace Nancy Pelosi, CNN reports.

“A lot of people in this administration should not sleep well at night,” Representative Emanuel Cleaver said, CNN reports. Cleaver predicted that Jeffries and Democrats would make life hard for the Trump administration.

People close to Jeffries say he will take a decisive approach. “He’s gonna do bold and smart, not bold and stupid,” one moderate Democrat said, according to CNN.

Jeffries and other Democratic leaders were expected to hold a news conference Tuesday night as Democrats were projected to win a comfortable majority, CNBC reports.

What we know: Democrats are projected to win the House, putting Jeffries in line to be speaker.
What we don't: Whether every Democrat will back him when the House votes in January.