Incoming House Dems Refuse To Answer if They Will Vote for Pelosi To Be the House Speaker

Two newly elected Democratic Congressmembers are not sharing if they plan to support House Speaker Nancy Pelosi‘s (D-Calif.) bid to serve another term as speaker.

During an appearance on CNN on Sunday, Representative-elect Cori Bush (D-Mo.) was asked if she would support Pelosi’s bid for speaker. She said, “What I’m going to do is make sure that the voices of the people of St. Louis are heard and that we have what we need.”

“And so you’ll find out then… I’m working with my community,” she added.

Representative-elect Jamaal Bowman (D-N.Y.) was asked the same question. He responded, “So, you will find out when my vote is tallied, and again organizing with our community to figure out what’s best.”

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The House will vote to determine the next speaker on January 3 when the 117th Congress begins, giving Pelosi a narrow margin for defections.

After the general election, Democrats saw their majority in the House narrow to their slimmest majority since World War II. They currently hold 222 seats while Republicans hold 211, with two races yet to be decided where the Republican candidates are leading.

Politico reported earlier this month that there was little doubt the California Democrat would be able to secure the required 218 votes to keep the speaker’s gavel.

And The Hill reports that concerns over COVID-19 could introduce a new challenge for Pelosi as members have to be present for the vote.

Additionally, three moderate Democrats have declared they do not plan to vote for Pelosi.

Rep. John Yarmouth (D-Ky.) shared an example of how coronavirus concerns could impact the vote, “Let’s say, just theoretically, we had six or eight people out with Covid, and the Republicans have none. They probably could elect McCarthy.”

However, Pelosi and members of the Democratic leadership team have reportedly ramped up pressure on members to be present for the vote to avoid any complications.