Congress Watch · Report · File No. 261102-507
Jeffries says Democrats will weigh 'next steps' on Stevens after Rogers endorsement
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries called Rep. Haley Stevens' backing of Republican Mike Rogers a 'terrible decision' and said Democrats will discuss consequences when Congress returns Nov. 9, less than a week after the midterm election.
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House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) said Monday that House Democrats will discuss "appropriate next steps" for Rep. Haley Stevens (D-Mich.) when Congress returns Nov. 9, after Stevens endorsed former Rep. Mike Rogers (R) in the Michigan Senate race 1.
"Haley Stevens made a terrible decision, blindsided everyone and isolated herself from the House Democratic Caucus," Jeffries told Politico on Monday. "We will have a discussion about appropriate next steps upon our return." 1
Both the House and Senate are back in session Nov. 9, less than a week after Election Day 1. The timing means any formal move against Stevens would come after voters have already cast ballots in the midterms.
What Stevens did
Stevens on Sunday endorsed Rogers to succeed retiring Sen. Gary Peters (D-Mich.) over progressive candidate Abdul El-Sayed, and recently appeared with Rogers on the campaign trail 1. El-Sayed narrowly beat Stevens in the Democratic primary earlier this year 1.
From Channel GOPEl-Sayed lays out his case against Mike RogersAbdul El-Sayed · 136 plays · captioned, with the source named
House Democratic Caucus rules state that "in order to maintain membership in good standing, Members shall not participate in campaign activities for any candidate in a partisan federal election who is not a Member of the Democratic Party." 1
Jeffries also posted Sunday on X that "Dr. Abdul El-Sayed will always put the American people first and fight hard to lower the high cost of living," adding: "His election is critical to flipping control of the United States Senate." 1
El-Sayed, for his part, wrote Friday online: "So, while Congresswoman Stevens seems intent on relitigating a primary that ended three months ago, let's all focus on the task at hand: that's beating Mike Rogers, holding Trump accountable, and getting money out of politics." 1
Michigan Democratic Party chair Curtis Hertel said Sunday on X that "Congresswoman Stevens is not a current member of the Michigan Democratic Party, nor will she be in the future." 1
Why it matters
The dispute is a live test of party discipline one day before the midterms, as Democrats fight to win control of the House and Senate 12. If Democrats take the House, they would gain the ability to launch investigations and demand documents and testimony 2.
That matters because the Stevens fight is playing out in public while the party is asking voters for a majority. Jeffries framed the stakes around El-Sayed's Senate bid, while Hertel's statement suggests the state party has already drawn its own line 1.
The Hill said it reached out to Stevens' office for comment 1. Congress returns Nov. 9 1.
The Record
- Stevens endorsed Republican Mike Rogers over Democrat Abdul El-Sayed in the Michigan Senate race 1.
- Jeffries told Politico Stevens 'made a terrible decision' and said Democrats will discuss 'next steps' when Congress returns 1.
- The House and Senate return to session, less than a week after Election Day 1.
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Sources
- The Hill, “Jeffries: Democrats will discuss 'next steps' on Stevens when Congress returns” (2026-11-02). thehill.com/homenews/house/6189017-hakeem-jeffries-haley-ste
- The Guardian, “What can Democrats actually do if they win Congress?” (2026-11-02). theguardian.com/us-news/2026/nov/02/democrats-midterms-congr
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Two days before the midterm election, the Michigan Democrat who lost the Senate primary to Abdul El-Sayed threw her support to Republican Mike Rogers, exposing a deep split in a race that could decide control of the Senate.
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Rep. Haley Stevens's endorsement of Republican Mike Rogers in the Michigan Senate race triggered a fundraising surge for Democrat Abdul El-Sayed, a sign the party's internal fight is energizing its base a day before the midterm election.
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