Will Democrats dump Nancy Pelosi today?
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
You are now subscribed
Your newsletter sign-up was successful
House Democrats vote for their next leader today. And there's an outside chance they won't re-elect House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.).
Though Politico reported that Pelosi, who has led the Democratic caucus since 2002, remains the "overwhelming favorite to win re-election," she certainly isn't sailing towards that outcome without resistance.
Rep. Tim Ryan (D-Ohio) has put up a formidable challenge to Pelosi, as many Democrats who once supported Pelosi have switched loyalties in search of a fresh start. "Change is necessary. And the only way we're going to survive is to get change; they're connected. We've never changed anything since I've been here," said Rep. Emanuel Cleaver (D-Mo.). Another representative told BuzzFeed News, "I think the anybody-but-Pelosi sentiment is stronger than she thinks it is."
The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Even if Pelosi wins, some change will likely be imminent. Already, Ryan's candidacy has spurred Pelosi to propose structural changes to the Democratic leadership and to appoint younger members. Pelosi will also have to grapple with whatever portion of her party votes against her.
But with Democrats preparing to face off against Donald Trump, Pelosi's adversarial experience with the last GOP president may actually be her saving grace. "She is steady, and experienced," said Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-Calif.). "She worked with Bush when she needed to, and effectively pushed against him when she needed to — I'm thinking specifically about the Iraq war and his desire to privatize Social Security."
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
One great cookbook: Joshua McFadden’s ‘Six Seasons of Pasta’the week recommends The pasta you know and love. But ever so much better.
-
Scientists are worried about amoebasUnder the radar Small and very mighty
-
Buddhist monks’ US walk for peaceUnder the Radar Crowds have turned out on the roads from California to Washington and ‘millions are finding hope in their journey’
-
Judge rejects California’s ICE mask ban, OKs ID lawSpeed Read Federal law enforcement agents can wear masks but must display clear identification
-
Lawmakers say Epstein files implicate 6 more menSpeed Read The Trump department apparently blacked out the names of several people who should have been identified
-
Japan’s Takaichi cements power with snap election winSpeed Read President Donald Trump congratulated the conservative prime minister
-
Trump sues IRS for $10B over tax record leaksSpeed Read The president is claiming ‘reputational and financial harm’ from leaks of his tax information between 2018 and 2020
-
Trump, Senate Democrats reach DHS funding dealSpeed Read The deal will fund most of the government through September and the Department of Homeland Security for two weeks
-
Fed holds rates steady, bucking Trump pressureSpeed Read The Federal Reserve voted to keep its benchmark interest rate unchanged
-
Judge slams ICE violations amid growing backlashSpeed Read ‘ICE is not a law unto itself,’ said a federal judge after the agency violated at least 96 court orders
-
Rep. Ilhan Omar attacked with unknown liquidSpeed Read This ‘small agitator isn’t going to intimidate me from doing my work’