California Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi is on the way to reestablishing her reign as the keeper of the gavel in the House of Representatives.
On Wednesday afternoon, Pelosi passed a leadership test vote 203-32. In January, she will face a final decision and vote among her caucus on whether she will regain the speakership. For months Democrats have called for new leadership and a number are still refusing to put her back into power. She needs 218 votes in the final round, just before the new Congress is seated.
Pelosi on Dems who oppose her: There is dissent - but going forward we will unify.
— Chad Pergram (@ChadPergram) November 28, 2018
Dem Reps RiceNY, RyanOH & Moulton met w/Pelosi earlier today. Moulton says "No one wants to see this civil conversation spill into a floor fight. Right now..Pelosi will not have the 218 votes necessary to become Spkr. Her 3-person leadership team has been unchanged in 11 yrs"
— Chad Pergram (@ChadPergram) November 28, 2018
Pelosi is NOT Speaker-elect at this point. She is Speaker-designate. But still needs to score more votes to hit the 218 threshold in the Spkr vote on the flr in January
— Chad Pergram (@ChadPergram) November 28, 2018
Pelosi formally nominated as Democratic Speaker candidate, 203-32. Three blanks. 238 Members voted. Keep in mind there are non-voting delegates to Congress who vote in this race.
— Chad Pergram (@ChadPergram) November 28, 2018
203 voted “yes” for Pelosi.
32 voted “no” for Pelosi
There were three banks.
Pelosi needs to whittle down those 35 who voted no or left their ballots blank by about half in order to hit 218 in January. Some members will oppose her in the caucus and vote for her on the floor. Two years ago, Pelosi scored 134 votes. Rep. Tim Ryan (D-OH) marshaled 63 votes
— Chad Pergram (@ChadPergram) November 28, 2018
Just before Thanksgiving, potential challenger Rep. Marcia Fudge withdrew her threat to officially challenge Pelosi and backed her candidacy.
During remarks just before the vote, Pelosi said she was confident she had the votes necessary today and maintains the same confidence ahead of a final January decision.
Pelosi on working w/Trump: President Bush never began a meeting unless the Speaker was present. I expect nothing less than that from the President. I think the president will be respectful.
— Chad Pergram (@ChadPergram) November 28, 2018
Pelosi on Hse Dems: Majority, majority, majority...We have been deputized to be a check on the president and this government.
— Chad Pergram (@ChadPergram) November 28, 2018
Pelosi on where she stands with gettinng the votes for Speaker: “I think we’re in pretty good shape.”
— Chad Pergram (@ChadPergram) November 28, 2018