A group of Republicans have considered providing votes to Nancy Pelosi in her bid for Speaker, should she agree to a handful of rule changes. Additionally, ten Democrats in the 48-member group known as the Problem Solvers Caucus are also withholding their support unless Pelosi commits in writing to certain changes in the House.
Pelosi has voiced support for the group’s proposals, but has yet to commit to them in writing.
The rule changes are designed to “reward openness and transparency, encourage a willingness to reach across the aisle, create debate on divisive issues, and empower lawmakers to find real solutions concerning our nation’s most pressing matters.”
Collectively, it is known as the ‘Break the Gridlock’ package.
This could be a boon for Pelosi’s bid
As the Problem Solvers Caucus is a bipartisan group, agreeing to their rule change package would not only shore up those ten Democrat votes, but it might siphon off support from some Republicans as well.
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“Rep. Tom Reed (R-N.Y.), the other co-chairman of the Problem Solvers, confirmed to The Hill on Tuesday that there are ongoing discussions about having a handful of Republicans supply Pelosi with votes for Speaker if she agrees to rules changes.”https://t.co/VGoOjQm8UB
— Bill Scher (@billscher) November 14, 2018
“There is (discussion) and we are awaiting their vote count,” Reed said.
The Republicans in question are not in particularly deep red congressional districts. Still, there is some support for this idea, and it comes from the top.
Trump announces support for Pelosi
Should Republicans cross the aisle and throw their votes to Pelosi, they wouldn’t be without support from the White House.
While some viewed the message as being facetious, President Trump voiced his support for Pelosi’s struggling bid, even encouraging those within his own party to offer votes.
In all fairness, Nancy Pelosi deserves to be chosen Speaker of the House by the Democrats. If they give her a hard time, perhaps we will add some Republican votes. She has earned this great honor!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 7, 2018
Can Pelosi fend off challengers?
Pelosi has been facing serious opposition to her regaining the Speakership, specifically from a small group of rebellious Democrats hoping to block her rise back to power.
Democrat Rep. Filemon Vela of Texas, one of those in the opposition, told CNN, “I am 100% confident we can forge new leadership.”
The network reports that 10 freshman members of the House and 13 incumbents have vowed to oppose her.
Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, the New York socialist darling set to join Congress, even took part in a protest in Pelosi’s Capitol Hill office, surrounded by signs that read “step up or step aside.”
Will this move, should Pelosi agree, stop their attempts to forge new leadership?
Agreeing to the rule changes proposed by the Problem Solvers Caucus may prove to be a smart move for her career. It seems like something she should consider. After all, as Pelosi says, she is “politically astute.”
