House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, perhaps resigned to the increasing likelihood that Republicans will take back control of the House following November’s midterm elections, is already making her next moves, according to a Monday report.
According to rumors being heard by the Washington Post, the California Democrat will call it a career if Democrats lose control.
And while they are rumors, they are apparently powerful enough that congressional Democrats are already angling for a successor.
“Rep. Hakeem Jeffries (N.Y.) is the early favorite to become the next Democratic leader, but the maneuvering for power has just begun,” the paper reported, also noting potential candidates Rep. Ro Khanna, Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, and Majority Whip James Clyburn.
“I think we want leadership that bridges some of the different ideological wings of the party, that is committed to listening to all of the perspectives, that will be capable of helping move the Senate or things that have stalled in the House,” Khanna told the Post. “But whoever it is, I hope they would adopt progressive positions and also listen to the broad caucus and build consensus.”
“I think there was a ‘holding of power’ model that worked very well for a long time, and I think now it is more about a recognition of different centers of focus within the Democratic caucus that have to be brought in and brought together,” Jayapal told the Post. “It takes some acceptance of more-decentralized leadership.”
In October, Fox News host Maria Bartiromo predicted that Pelosi would retire if the GOP won back control of the House.
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During a segment, Bartiromo said that sources had told her that Pelosi is stepping down after Democrats pass Joe Biden’s Build Back Better agenda.
Maria Bartiromo is reporting that Nancy Pelosi may step down soon.
— Hunting Wolf In PA ()
“First, this morning is exclusive, sources tell Sunday Morning Futures there is speculation swirling in Washington that House Speaker Nancy Pelosi may step down after getting the massive spending package through,” she said.
“So all those Democrat members who had their arms twisted to vote on the multitrillion-dollar package and put their own reelection in jeopardy may be fuming to learn that the speaker could be planning a cut and run,” she added.
In July, a report from The Atlantic claimed that Pelosi will be stepping down as Speaker “in the not-so-distant future.”
“Sometime in the not-so-distant future, probably after next year’s midterm elections, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi will announce that she’s stepping down,” it said.
“Her top deputies… aspire to her job, but they’re also in their early 80s, and most Democrats in and out of Congress are counting on them to step aside too. Of course, they all have stock responses denying that anyone is ever going anywhere,” The Atlantic said. “But the day is coming.”