New — Hakeem Jeffries is already working to corral — and connect with — a new crop of progressive dissenters, sources told @washingtonsun Jeffries has now spoken with all the progressives who have not committed to backing him for speaker, and has met with or plans to meet with each in person, a source familiar with the outreach told me. Jeffries’ leadership team are activated too. Joe Neguse and Lauren Underwood — both angling to move up the leadership ladder next Congress — have reached out to the progressive candidates. The conversations were described to me as friendly and welcoming, with offers of advice and support The outreach comes as Jeffries has also signaled some movement on issues that have divided him from the left. He recently said U.S. policy toward Israel “must change” and that Israel can pay for its own sophisticated weapons. On health care, he still opposes Medicare for All but has emphasized that health care should be a right for every American There are also signs the outreach may be working: William Lawrence, who previously said he hoped to vote for an alternative to Jeffries for speaker, has since backed him But the real fight may come down to the size of a Democratic majority. As one progressive candidate told me: “If it’s thin, then [Jeffries] is going to need to negotiate with anyone who has concerns about him having the gavel.” More on how Jeffries is courting the left: washingtonsun.com/congress/h…