WASHINGTON, Nov 30 (Reuters) - Hakeem Jeffries was unanimously elected on Wednesday to become the Democratic Party's top leader in the U.S.

Democratic Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said he was not surprised that Jeffries, a fellow Brooklynite, was chosen3

"Our commitment is always to extend the hand of partnership whenever and wherever possible, in order to get things done for everyday Americans," Jeffries said, when asked how he will work with Republicans.

2 Democratic job, a post known as "whip." Californian Pete Aguilar, 43, and a member of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, was elected to Jeffries' current job of Democratic caucus chairman.

Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) speaks to the media following the House Leadership news conference, after being elected as the new Democratic leader in the House of Representatives for the next session of Congress, on Capitol Hill in Washington, U.S., November 30, 2022.

The leadership change for Democrats comes as Republicans are set to take majority control - by a slim margin - of the House as a result of the Nov.

The three House Democratic leadership jobs have been held for two decades by Pelosi, 82, Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, 83, and Majority Whip James Clyburn, 82.

Cleaver, an ordained minister, said caucus members "were on their feet, like at church" celebrating the election of Jeffries, "who I call the hip-hop juggernaut." Jeffries is known to be a fan of the music genre and hosts an annual "Hip Hop on the Hill" fundraising event.

The United States is "deeply concerned" about detained American Paul Whelan in Russia, and has not been able to get information from Moscow on his whereabouts or condition, White House national security spokesman John Kirby said on Wednesday.