ZCZC
BFF-21
US-POLITICS-PELOSI
Pelosi agrees to term limit to seal US House speaker job
WASHINGTON, Dec 13, 2018 (BSS/AFP) – Veteran Democrat Nancy Pelosi took a
step Wednesday toward regaining her old job as powerful speaker of the US
House of Representatives.
She did so by winning over a group of renegades in the chamber with a
pledge to serve only until 2022.
The vote will take place on January 3, when the new House takes power
under Democrats who ended Republican control of the chamber in November’s
mid-term elections.
The new assortment of lawmakers features more women and minorities and
also a slew of younger representatives.
Pelosi, 78 and considered a master tactician and fund-raiser, held the job
of speaker from 2007 to 2011. She was the first woman to do so.
With a new-look chamber about to get operating, some lawmakers have been
complaining for weeks that Pelosi represents the old guard.
By February 15, Democrats in the House will vote on setting term limits
for senior leadership positions, Pelosi said Wednesday.
“I am comfortable with the proposal and it is my intention to abide by it
whether it passes or not,” she said in a statement. For her it would mean she
could serve as speaker until 2022.
A half dozen lawmakers who had raised questions about Pelosi getting the
job again said later that they would support her now.
The speaker is second in line to the presidency, after the vice president.
If she is confirmed as speaker Pelosi would lead a robust new opposition
to President Donald Trump. Republicans still control the Senate.
The legislature promises to be full of fireworks as seen Tuesday, when
what was supposed to be a White House photo opportunity session bringing
together Pelosi, Trump and Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer escalated
into a feisty exchange on Trump’s proposed border wall, as television cameras
rolled.
BSS/AFP/MR/ 1146 hrs