Ten Democrats in a bipartisan group demanding a House rules overhaul are the latest hurdle in Rep. Nancy Pelosi's path to House Speaker, The Hill reported.
The Democrats, part of a 48-member Problem Solvers Caucus, vow to withhold their support for the California Democratic lawmaker — or any other Speaker nominee — unless the candidate commits in writing to House rules changes aimed at empowering rank-and-file lawmakers and breaking the partisan gridlock, The Hill reported.
Pelosi has not issued a written commitment though she has voiced general support, but that is not good enough for the Democratic co-chairman of the group, Rep. Josh Gottheimer, D-N.J.
"Our position is . . . [that] we would only support a Speaker who is willing to support our 'Break the Gridlock' package," Gottheimer told The Hill. "That's what we've committed to, and where we continue to be."
Gottheimer noted several House leaders — including the Minority Whip, Rep. Steny Hoyer, D-Md., and Majority Whip, Rep. Steve Scalise, R-La., have both issued statements backing the Problem Solvers rules overhaul.
"I'm eager to see specifically where leader Pelosi — what specifically she will be behind," Gottheimer told The Hill. "But it's got to be a concrete commitment in writing."
Pelosi, 78, is battling to retake the House speaker's gavel she lost in a red wave eight years ago. She has led the House Democrats since 2003, and a number of rank-and-file lawmakers want new faces and fresh ideas atop the party, The Hill reported.
At least eight incumbent Democrats, and three incoming freshman, are on record saying they will oppose Pelosi in the Speaker vote, The Hill reported. It remains unclear how many more they would need to block the promotion.
Meanwhile, Rep. Tom Reed, R-N.Y., the other co-chair of the Problem Solvers, told The Hill there are ongoing discussions about having a handful of Republicans supply Pelosi with votes for Speaker if she agrees to rules changes.
"There is [discussion] and we are awaiting their vote count," Reed said.
Unveiled earlier in the year, the Problem Solvers rules package consists of 10 proposals designed to empower individual members and grease the skids for passage of popular bipartisan bills, The Hill reported.
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