House Democrats on Tuesday convinced their leaders to delay a planned Thursday vote on leaders for the next Congress, in the wake of Hillary Clinton's shocking defeat to Donald Trump.
House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., had resisted calls for a delay for the last several days. But a few dozen rank and file Democrats were pushing for a delay in order to assess the disastrous Nov. 8 election for Democrats, who were expected to win the White House and Senate, and possibly the House, but ended up with nothing.
Rep. Gene Green, D-Texas, was the first to make the announcement to reporters, saying the decision was made by leadership and backed by members of the Democratic caucus. The election was planned for Thursday, but now will take place after Thanksgiving, on Nov. 30.
Rep. G.K. Butterfield, D-N.C., told reporters that Democrats are still recovering from the "shellacking" they took in last week's election, but said Pelosi's spot in leadership is not in peril.
"Pelosi enjoys great respect and support in the Democratic caucus, and this has no reflection on her leadership at all," he said. "We just got a shellacking. We just got a shellacking last Tuesday. We got an unexpected defeat and we've got to recalibrate how we go forward."
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05.07.2024