House Democrats delay leadership vote: Democratic aide

Still, he grants that Democrats may feel more comfortable with someone having more experience leading the caucus, particularly with Trump as president and Republicans controlling both chambers.

Ryan notes that Democrats have lost 5 House seats in his state in the past few elections and has asked “who is the leader” who can go into red states and “pull those voters back” after Trump won overwhelmingly among white working class voters.

Just a week ago, House Speaker Paul Ryan’s standing looked a little dicey.

The move could portend a change from the party’s longtime leadership under Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi of California. During the Democratic caucus meeting on Tuesday, Kaptur said she told colleagues there are “certain places in the country that are missing in our leadership”.

In the letter, Moulton’s group told Pelosi that Democrats find themselves in a “difficult situation” and that more time is needed for an “extensive conversation” between the rank-and-file and party leadership. “Three years later, we remain one of only seven nations to allow abortion on-demand after five months – a point by which unborn children feel pain”, said Dannenfelser. Other leadership positions and ranking member posts will be tapped later.

Ryan acknowledges that he hasn’t been the prolific fundraiser that Pelosi has, but he says the problem for Democrats hasn’t been fundraising.

The delay by House Democrats, however, was seen as a symptom of frustration over a disappointing election that saw the party picking up only six seats.

Republicans are slated to hold their election Tuesday. During this time Nancy Pelosi was the Speaker of the House. Tim Ryan, who’s said he’s considering a bid for leadership. The Wisconsin lawmaker’s political future was further called into question when he distanced himself from Trump in late October, after the release of a 2005 audiotape in which Trump is heard making lewd comments regarding women. He serves on the House Appropriations Committee and is co-chairman of the Congressional Manufacturing Caucus. Heath Shuler, D-N.C., garnered just 43 votes.

“I was ready to go with after Thanksgiving because I didn’t want the new members to be spending all their time worrying about who they are going to vote for this, that or the other thing”, Pelosi said Tuesday, according to an aide.

The leadership elections had originally been scheduled for Thursday.

But Representative Steve Israel, a member of House Democratic leadership and who is retiring from Congress at year’s end, said: “There is nobody who could have led House Democrats who would have had a different outcome” in last week’s presidential and congressional elections.

“We must proceed with a clear vision, firm values and innovative strategy”, Pelosi said in a personalized letter to each Democratic member requesting their support.