16 Democrats In US House Oppose Pelosi As Speaker, Democratic Caucus Leader - Lawmakers

NEW YORK (Pakistan Point News / Sputnik - 20th November, 2018) A group of 16 Democrats in the US House of Representatives wrote a letter on Monday opposing electing Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi as speaker and leader of the Democratic Caucus.

"As we head toward the 116th Congress and reclaim our Democratic majority, we believe more strongly than ever that the time has come for new leadership in our Caucus," the letter said. "We are committed to voting for new leadership in both our Caucus meeting and on the House floor."

In the letter, the 16 Democrats thanked Pelosi for her service as the leader of the Democratic Caucus and added they would lean toward a new leader because they promised voters in hard-won districts to change the status-quo in Washington, DC.

The letter, signed by the current representatives Tim Ryan, Ben McAdams, Linda Sanchez, Seth Moulton, and other incoming lawmakers signalizes internal opposition within the Democratic party and might jeopardize Pelosi's intention to become a speaker in the 116th Congress.

Pelosi has been serving as minority leader of the House of Representatives since 2011. She previously also served as speaker from 2001 -2007 as the only woman in that position.

In 2010, after the Democrats lost to Republicans control of the House of Representatives in the then midterm elections, Pelosi was elected as minority leader.

In the 2018 mid-term elections, the Democrats took over the House of Representatives and Pelosi announced she would run to be speaker on the opening of the 116th US Congress on January 3, 2019. According to Pelosi, she has strong support among the Democrats, and does not have any prominent challengers in the upcoming election.

The Democratic Caucus leadership election is set for later in November. To be elected Speaker of the House of Representatives on January 3, 2019, Pelosi needs 218 votes among lawmakers.