I won't dwell on Republicans regaining the House of Representatives as I have previously expressed my concerns about their intentions towards President Biden and not certifying his re-election in 2024 not to mention the chloroforming of the January 6th Committee. The only hope I have is that Republicans will fight over Kevin McCarthy's very short leash.
However, the 118th Congress will look very different where Democrats are concerned as both Nancy Pelosi and Steny Hoyer today announced they have stepped down from their leadership positions after being leadership fixtures for nearly 20 years. Pelosi, of course, would enjoy two tenures as Speaker of the House.
New York Congressman Hakeem Jeffries is expected to become the new House Minority Leader with Katherine Clark (who happens to be my Congresswoman) will likely become House Minority Whip while California Representative Pete Aguilar is expected to become chairman of the Democratic caucus. Longtime South Carolina Congressman Jim Clyburn plans to remain in the House leadership but will move down from Whip to Assistant House Minority Leader.
Jeffries, Clark and Aguilar don't have a high profile outside of political animals and policy wonks although Aguilar did gain some prominence as a member of the January 6th Committee. It will be interesting to see what kind of force they will be against a GOP controlled Congress with a tiny majority but with large ambitions. It will be equally interesting to see how the trio stand up to the more left-wing elements within the party namely The Squad.
I cannot help but wonder if Pelosi and Hoyer stepping down will accelerate pressure on President Biden not to run in 2024. But whereas Pelosi and Hoyer have obvious successors, Biden simply does not one. Besides one does not want change the captain of the ship with mutineers in the midst. There are enough mutineers in the House of Representatives that do not believe Biden won the 2020 election. The last thing Democrats should do is reward their indulgences.
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