Rep. Linda Sanchez (Calif.), the 5th ranking House Democrat has said it is time for Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) and her leadership team to pass on the torch to a new generation of Democrats.
Sanchez reflected the views of top Democrats in the House to reporters from The Washington Post and Los Angeles Times:
“I do think we have this real breadth and depth of talent within our caucus and I do think it’s time to pass a torch to a new generation of leaders and I want to be a part of that transition… I want to see that happen. I think we have too many great members here that don’t always get the opportunities that they should. I would like to see that change.”
Two other top members of the Democratic leadership have been in place for well over a decade, leading to the calls from Sanchez. They are House Minority Whip Steny Hoyer (D-Md.) and House Assistant Minority Leader James Clyburn (D-S.C.).
Pelosi, 77, has served in the House since 1987, leading the chambers Democrats for 14 years.
Hoyer, 78, has been in the House since 1981.
Clyburn, 77, entered the chamber in 1993.
Drew Hammill, a spokesman for Pelosi, said in a statement that the minority leader still has strong support among other House Democrats. He went on to call the suggestion that she step down from her leadership role “a distraction.”
“Leader Pelosi enjoys wide support in the Caucus and has always said she not in Congress on a shift but on a mission,” he said. “Leader Pelosi is focused on winning back the House and anything else is a distraction from our path to the Majority.”
Pelosi won an eighth term as House Democrat leader in November after being challenged by Rep. Tim Ryan (Ohio), while also facing calls from some Democratic lawmakers to step aside.
Those law makers include Rep. Seth Moulton (Mass.), who called for Pelosi to step aside in the last few months.
Well, we’re just glad these guys are sticking to the important political conversations… I mean, it’s not like we’ve more important things going on, like mass shootings in major population and tourist hubs, and the NRA being sensible about guns. Thanks for the in-fighting guys, it makes us feel so safe and that we’re being listened to and protected.
Not.
Source (The Hill)