As long-serving Speaker Nancy Pelosi steps aside, energized House Democrats are ready to welcome in a new generation with Rep. Hakeem Jeffreyries becoming the first Black American leader of a major political party in Congress.

After their midterm elections losses, House Democrats showed rare unity, moving seamlessly Wednesday from one historical leader to the next, uniting around the 52 year-old New Yorker. He has promised to “get things done” even though Republicans have taken control of the chamber.

Jeffries said to reporters that Wednesday’s vote was a solemn responsibility. “And the best thing we can do is lean back and do the best job we can for the people, despite the seriousness and solemnity at the moment.”

It is rare for a party that lost midterm elections to so easily regroup. This contrasts starkly with the turmoil among Republicans who are struggling to unite around Kevin McCarthy, the House speaker, as they prepare to assume control of the new Congress in January.

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The internal Democratic caucus votes on Wednesday are being held behind closed doors. Jeffries and other top leaders are expected win by acclamation without any challengers.

Jeffries is expected to be the Democratic minority leader. The trio includes Rep. Katherine Clark, 59, of Massachusetts, as the Democratic whip, and Rep. Pete Aguilar, 43, as caucus chair. As the 80-something leaders move on to the next generation, the new group of Democratic leaders will likely take the places held by Pelosi as well as her top lieutenants — Majority leader Steny Hoyer from Maryland and Democratic Whip James Clyburn from South Carolina.

In many ways, however, the trio have been moving in plain sight. One aide said that Jeffries, Clark, and Aguilar had worked with Pelosi for several years in lower-rung leadership positions as the first woman to be given the speaker’s chair. Pelosi, a Californian, has been the leader of the House Democrats for 20 years. On Tuesday, her colleagues awarded her the honorific title “speaker-emerita”.

“It’s an important moment in the caucus — there’s a new breed of leadership,” stated Rep. Chris Pappas (D-N.H.) before voting.

Although Democrats will be reduced to the House minority in 2019, they will still have some leverage due to McCarthy’s fragile hold on McCarthy’s party and the slim Republican majority.

Jeffries and McCarthy are both of the same generation, but they have little in common. In fact, McCarthy is well-known for hurling political insults at the Republican, especially over Trump’s embrace by the GOP. Jeffries was a House manager during Trump’s first impeachment.

Jeffries stated that they are still analyzing the implications of Trumpism and what it has meant for American democracy.

Jeffries stated that he would like to find “common ground” with Republicans, but will “oppose extremism when necessary.”

Jeffries will be accompanied by Chuck Schumer, Senate Majority Leader. As two New Yorkers take over the Democratic leadership in Congress, Jeffries will be on the opposite side of the Capitol. They are located in Brooklyn, approximately one mile (1.66 kilometers) apart.

Schumer stated that there will be a group of mainstream Republicans who, according to my judgment, aren’t going to want to follow the MAGA direction. Hakeem is the ideal type man to work with them.” Schumer spoke in an interview, referring to Trump’s slogan “Make America Great Again”.

Jeffries was sometimes viewed as more centrist among House Democrats, and has been met with suspicion by party progressives.

Rep. Rashida Tlaib (D-Mich.), a progressive, is part of the “squad” of liberal lawmakers. She said that she was encouraged by Jeffries’ and his team’s willingness to reach out, even though there are no challengers.

She said, “There is a genuine feeling that he wants relationships and working partnerships with many people.”

Clark is running for the No. Clark, who is running for the No. 2 spot, will likely speak Wednesday to her colleagues about the importance to be a united party as the Democrats transition into the minority and face the Republicans.

Aguilar is the No. 3 spot and she is seen as a leader who builds coalitions. Aguilar, in the No. 3 spot is well-known as a conduit for centrists and even Republicans.

Clyburn, the highest ranking Black American in Congress, plans to run for the position of assistant democratic leader to help the next generation transition.

Clyburn and other positions will be up for election on Thursday.

Jeffries’ ascent is a landmark for Black Americans. The Capitol was built with the labor and effort of enslaved persons. Its dome was later expanded by Abraham Lincoln’s presidency to become a symbol of the nation’s stand during the Civil War.

Jeffries stated, “The thing about Pete and Katherine is that we embrace the House represents,” calling it “the institution nearest to the people.”

He said that the House Democrats can be a large, diverse, and noisy family, but that’s a good thing. We are committed to finding the lowest common denominator to help everyday Americans get big things done.