Politics

Has Nancy Pelosi Lost Influence Over Her Party?

(Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images)

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Juliegrace Brufke Capitol Hill Reporter
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House Democrats broke with Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi on two major bills Thursday, leaving some questioning whether her influence over the Democratic party is diminishing in the wake of the election.

Republicans in the lower chamber defeated her two-to-one on the Further Continuing and Security Assistance Appropriations Act — which keeps the government-funded through April 28 — with 118 Democrats joining the 208 GOP lawmakers that voted for the measure. Pelosi told reporters Thursday she felt the CR was a “missed opportunity” since it didn’t include language on the Families First Act or extended retired coal miners’ benefits to the length Democrats were advocating for.

“I will be opposing it.  Some of our members will vote for it, some against,” Pelosi said at her weekly press conference ahead of the vote. “I don’t know, I haven’t whipped it or anything, I’m just telling.”

Even more Democrats bucked her position on the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA), with just 44 members of her party voting against legislation.  Pelosi said she objected to the bill due to a provision on California drought-relief, which was negotiated between House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy and California Democrat Sen. Dianne Feinstein. She alleged the language was added last-minute, not giving lawmakers enough time to review its potential effects and warned it could undermine the Endangered Species Act — calling the rider a “poison pill” that was indicative of  Republican arrogance. WRDA overwhelmingly passed the House in a 360-61 vote.

Pelosi’s office told The Daily Caller News Foundation, while she opposed the bills, members were given the option to vote as they pleased, adding they don’t believe she has lost control over the party.

“As the best whip in modern history, the Leader remains confident in her ability to get votes,” Pelosi spokeswoman Caroline Behringer said in an email.

Democrats were expected to pick up somewhere between 15 and 20 seats in the lower chamber this election cycle, yet only managed to gain a handful of districts. The devastating blow to the party left several members pointing fingers at Pelosi, calling for a change in the direction of the party.

Rep. Tim Ryan of Ohio — who voted with Pelosi on both the CR and WRDA — opted to challenge her for her leadership post. During multiple television appearances, he noted Democrats have shrunk to their smallest congressional minority since 1929 since Pelosi took the helm. Ryan ultimately lost the leadership race, but not without gaining nearly a third of the caucus’ votes — signaling a large portion of House Democrats are disgruntled with the way things are looking.

Pelosi told CBS’ “Face the Nation” Sunday she doesn’t believe Democrats need to change course, adding she does think they need to adjust their messaging if they want to win back the majority.

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