House Democrats reelect Nancy Pelosi their leader
In a news conference Tuesday, Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) reminisced about 2006, when Democrats took control of both the House and Senate during President George W. Bush's last term. (AP)
This item has been updated.
House Democrats reelected Nancy Pelosi as minority leader Tuesday morning.
Despite their diminished ranks and some grumblings about her handling of the caucus's midterm election strategy, Democrats reelected her for two more years, according to a senior aide in the room.
There were "no nays audible in room," the aide said.
But at least one incoming Democratic congresswoman disputes that report. Rep.-elect Gwen Graham (D-Fla.), who campaigned on a promise not to vote for Pelosi as party leader, told the Tampa Bay Times on Tuesday that she didn't vote for Pelosi. A Graham aide said his boss did vote no, "It was just drowned out by the other people voting."
All other senior Democratic leaders, Minority Whip Steny Hoyer (Md.), Assistant Leader James Clyburn (D-S.C.) and Caucus Chairman Xavier Becerra (D-Calif.), also were reelected.
Ahead of the vote on Monday, Pelosi filled out her leadership team by appointing Rep. Ben Ray Lujan (D-N.M.) to lead the Democratic Congressional Committee; tapped the former DCCC chairman, Rep. Steve Israel (D-N.Y.) for a new policy and communications role; and named two close friends, Reps. Rosa DeLauro (D-Conn.) and Donna Edwards (D-Md.) to lead the powerful steering and policy committee, which will help place members on key committees.
As she did so, Pelosi signaled in an interview with The Washington Post that she intends to stick around.
Im the one that brung everyone to the party by winning the House in the first place, she said in the interview.
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House Democrats reelect Nancy Pelosi their leader