NEW YORK (Diya TV) – A New Jersey Institute of Technology senior is fighting for his life after a serious car crash as he headed to school. Indian American Vinamra Sharma has been taken off a ventilator but suffers severe brain swelling after multiple surgeries. Friends and family are now trying to raise money to help him with his long road to recovery.

House Democrats chose caucus chair Hakeem Jeffries of New York to succeed Nancy Pelosi as leader of the Democrats in the chamber next year, a historic move that will make him the first Black person to lead one of the two major parties in either chamber of Congress. Jeffries says he hopes to lead a messaging effort that centers around values that unite.

The Senate passed legislation to protect same-sex and interracial marriage, called the Respect for Marriage Act, in a landmark bipartisan vote. The final vote was 61-36. The bill was supported by all members of the Democratic caucus and 12 Republicans.

Ravi Kapur contributed to this report.