Capitol Report: Frustration with Pelosi simmers among Democrats

WASHINGTON (MarketWatch) House Democrats are frustrated with their leader.

Nancy Pelosi, the House minority leader, isnt facing a public challenge right now. But Politico writes Democrats are saying behind the scenes its time for new blood at the leadership table ahead of 2016. Senior aides cited by Politico said they hope Democrats big losses Tuesday would encourage Pelosi to expand her network of allies and advisers to include a broader set of voices for crafting election messaging and congressional agendas. There is great unrest, a senior Democratic aide said.

Reid pathetic majority leader: The Senates most-senior Republican isnt afraid to publicly criticize outgoing majority leader Harry Reid. Sen. Orrin Hatch of Utah called Nevada Democrat Reid a pathetic leader in an interview with the Hill. Reid is one of my friends, but hes been a pathetic majority leader as far as Im concerned, Hatch said. He thought he was doing right by protecting his side, but I think the American people resented him because he got nothing done.

Reconciling Obamacare: The top Democrat on the House Budget Committee is predicting that Republicans will use the budget reconciliation process to try to roll back President Obamas signature health-care law. Rep. Chris Van Hollen of Maryland told The Wall Street Journal: The signals that they are sending seem to be that they want to use the reconciliation process to try to push through a lot of their agenda. Reconciliation requires just 51 votes in the Senate, not the 60 needed to break a filibuster. Obama has said hes willing to listen to ideas about reforming his health law, but full repeal and the individual mandate are off limits.

Filibuster-proof majority for Keystone: The Keystone XL pipeline won big in Tuesdays elections. As National Journal reports, the oil-sands pipeline project now appears to have at least 60 supporting votes in the Senate. That means legislation forcing approval of the long-delayed pipeline project may be headed to President Barack Obama. Obama has said he will only approve Keystone if it doesnt add to carbon emissions in the atmosphere. A State Department review in January found it would not. On Thursday, the White House declined to say if Obama would veto a Keystone bill.

Meet the freshmen: National Journal has a handy list, with photos, of the incoming members of the 114th Congress. A profile accompanies each members listing. The list covers both the House and Senate.

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Capitol Report: Frustration with Pelosi simmers among Democrats

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