Nancy Pelosi struck a deal Wednesday with Democratic rebels intent on denying her the speakership, paving the way for her to reclaim the gavel she lost eight years ago.
The California Democrat has agreed to limit her time as speaker to four years at most. In return, a critical number of lawmakers who vowed to oppose Pelosi will support her in a crucial Jan. 3 House floor vote.
The proposal also limits the time her two deputies, Minority Whip Steny Hoyer (D-Md.) and Assistant Democratic Leader Jim Clyburn (D-S.C.), can stay in their posts, although those changes will likely have to be ratified by the full caucus…
The proposal limits the top three Democrats to three terms in their current leadership posts. The leaders have an option to pursue a fourth term but must win two-thirds support of the caucus to do so. Currently only a majority is required.
The term limits are also retroactive, meaning the four years Pelosi served as speaker beginning in 2007 would count against her. The same goes for Hoyer and Clyburn, meaning the longest the three of them can serve in their current posts is through 2022, though they could serve in other leadership positions…
Under the agreement, Pelosi will not retaliate against her critics, sources familiar with the agreement said.
As speaker, Pelosi has the power to make the lives of her adversaries miserable. She can keep members from serving on their favored panels, refuse to move their legislation and make them ineffective in other ways.
Knowing this, the rebels pushed her to promise not to do so, calling for “fair treatment” of her critics.
While the compromise clears the path for Pelosi to return to the speaker’s chair, it’s likely to set off a heated debate within the broader Democratic Caucus. Term limits is one of the most controversial and divisive issues for House Democrats, often pitting members against each other along both generational and racial lines.
Pelosi has agreed to abide by the term limits for her speakership even if the caucus doesn’t approve the proposed changes. Hoyer and Clyburn, meanwhile, were expressing opposition even before the deal was announced.
Pelosi strikes deal with Dem rebels, paving the way for her speakership
Sebastion Cooper 