Pelosi to Seek Another House Speaker Term If Democrats Keep Majority After Election
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said she will run for another term if control of the lower chamber stays with Democrats after November 3.
When asked about seeking House speaker reelection in 2021, Pelosi told CNN's Jake Tapper she does plan to seek reelection, adding: "let me also say, we have to win the Senate."
This is in line with an agreement Pelosi made when she was elected as House speaker, which limits her role to a four year-term.
Her commitment to the speakership underscores the Democrats' confidence that they can retain House majority after Election Day, noted The Washington Post.
President Donald Trump predicted that the GOP could take back control of the House, but Pelosi thinks this belief was "delusional."
The 80-year-old California Democrat has been under fire with some members of the Democratic caucus in conservative districts lately. They say Pelosi's position in the House is an impediment to the party's electoral chances, USA Today reported.
Pelosi first served as House speaker from 2007 to 2011, noted Politico, making her the first woman in history to hold the position.
In January 2019, she was reelected after Democrats regained their House majority in the 2018 midterm elections, said New York Post.
She remains confident in keeping the post. Democrats are not only heavily favored in the November 3 elections but also have a chance to grow in numbers.
AOC Hesitates in Supporting Pelosi
Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, a fellow Democrat, was one of the most vocal critics of the House leadership.
Even though she voted for Pelosi for her current term, she sidestepped a question about supporting her again.
She said Democrats have to stay focused on growing their House majority and the coming November 3 elections. She added that she still wants to see who else is going to vie for the position.
If Pelosi happens to be the most progressive candidate for the post, with no other challenger to surface, Ocasio-Cortez will support the current speaker.
The first-term progressive said she will commit to backing the "most progressive candidate there."
Pelosi Remains Hopeful on Stimulus
Pelosi is currently locked in intense negotiations with the Trump administration over a potential stimulus deal. The closer Election Day gets, the less likely it is a deal can be passed.
But Pelosi remains optimistic that a stimulus package can be passed before November 3.
She recognizes the people need help right away, especially with the coronavirus pandemic seeing a still-growing death toll.
"What I say to them, though, what we are doing right now is to make the bill bigger, better and safer for you," Pelosi said. "And the benefits will be retroactive."
On October 18, she gave the Senate Republicans 48 hours to negotiate a package for a deal to be ready before the election, but talks are still ongoing today.
Pelosi said the White House is inching closer to the Democrats' demands on several issues.
They're starting to gain some ground in agreeing with funds for coronavirus testing, contact tracing, jobless benefits and state and local government aid.
With only days left before the election, Pelosi stressed that the best way to unify the country is to "crush the virus."
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