Rep Pramila Jayapal won’t be running for a top leadership position in her party when House Democrats vote for their new leadership today, reports Politico.
Democratic House leader Nancy Pelosi announced earlier that she would be stepping down from the top Democratic House position while continuing to serve representing San Francisco. Some feared that would set up a major confrontation and some in-house fighting among the Democrats.
Everything began to fall in place when Jayapal says she would not challenge for the number 2 slot, instead choosing to run for reelection as chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus.
“I am writing with humility, intentionality, and excitement to ask for your support to serve a second term as Chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus,” Jayapal wrote to her colleagues, according to CNN.
She told CNN she wants to make sure “progressives are given their seat at the table.”
Reps. Hakeem Jeffries is expected to run for Democratic Minority Leader today. Current assistant speaker Katherine Clark will put her name in for Democratic whip; and Pete Aguilar, vice chair of the House Democratic Caucus, will run for caucus chair.
According to the American Kahani, Payapal wants to ensure “Democrats are not only a critically important ‘opposition’ party to push back on draconian MAGA-Republican policies, but also a ‘proposition’ party, with a real vision that builds an even bigger movement to lift up poor people, working people, people of color, immigrants, LGBTQ+ people, and those who just need a leg up to thrive not just survive. That is what will help propel us to victory in 2024.”
In 2016, she became the first Indian American and South Asian American woman elected to the House.
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