House Minority Leader and likely Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi reached a deal with rebellious Democrats Wednesday; clearing the path for the California Congresswoman to regain the gavel when her party takes control in January.
According to Politico, Pelosi agreed to limit her tenure as Speaker to a maximum of four years; easing concerns from progressive lawmakers she would refuse to leave once assuming control.
“The proposal also limits the time her two deputies, Minority Whip Steny Hoyer (D-Md.) and Assistant Democratic Leader Jim Clyburn (D-S.C.), can stay in their posts, although those changes will likely have to be ratified by the full caucus,” writes Politico.
“Over the summer, I made it clear that I see myself as a bridge to the next generation of leaders, a recognition of my continuing responsibility to mentor and advance new Members into positions of power and responsibility in the House Democratic Caucus,” said Pelosi following the meeting.
Read the full report at Politico.
CLOSER AND CLOSER: Another ‘Never Nancy’ Democrat FLIPS for Pelosi
A recently elected Democratic congresswoman now backs Nancy Pelosi as Speaker of the House; reversing course from her campaign pledge to vote for new leadership should her party retake control.
Rep.-Elect Jahana Hayes threw her support behind Pelosi while speaking with MSNBC this week; saying “No one has asked me for a vote other than Nancy Pelosi.
“I came into Washington with an open mind. I said I want to hear all the information, and I want to cast a vote that’s best for the people in my state. No one has asked me for a vote other than Nancy Pelosi. You know, last week we were here for orientation and we caucused and I was of the mind, put up or shut up,” Hayes said. “Nobody came to me, and at this point I think it’s unreasonable for anyone to expect a vote when they haven’t even asked. So I’m prepared to support Nancy Pelosi in caucus tomorrow when votes are cast.”
ONE STEP CLOSER: Another ‘Never Nancy’ Democrat CAVES, Endorses Pelosi
A prominent ‘Never Nancy’ Democrat who recently signed a letter calling for new leadership within the party reversed course this week; officially supporting Rep. Pelosi as the future Speaker of the House.
According to the Buffalo News, “Rep. Brian Higgins of Buffalo reversed course Wednesday and said he will support Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi to be the speaker of the House, delivering a devastating blow to a weakening rebellion in the ranks that aims to oust her from the top job in the incoming House of Representatives.”
Rep. Brian Higgins (D-NY), who signed the anti-Pelosi letter, flips and says he’ll support her for Speaker.https://t.co/Ee1MC7x6fe
— Sahil Kapur (@sahilkapur) November 21, 2018
“I have an agreement in principle with the Democratic leader that those are going to be two priorities, and that I will be the lead person on the Medicare buy-in,” Higgins said.
Higgins reversal paves the way for Pelosi to become the likely leader of the Democrats when they retake control of Congress in January.