The anger and annoyance towards House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) and other Democrat leaders continues to boil as the fifth-ranking Democrat in the House, Rep. Linda Sánchez (CA), has asked for a change. From The Washington Post:
“I do think it’s time to pass a torch to a new generation of leaders, and I want to be a part of that transition,” Sánchez said on C-SPAN’s “Newsmakers” in an interview conducted by reporters with The Washington Post and the Los Angeles Times. “I want to see that happen. I think we have too many great members here that don’t always get the opportunities that they should. I would like to see that change.”Pressed to clarify her comments, Sánchez went further and said House Minority Whip Steny H. Hoyer (Md.) and House Assistant Minority Leader James E. Clyburn (S.C.), who have been part of Pelosi’s leadership team for more than a decade, also should prepare to step down.“They are all of the same generation, and, again, their contributions to the Congress and the caucus are substantial. But I think there comes a time when you need to pass that torch. And I think it’s time,” she said.Sánchez said that the leadership change did not need to happen immediately but by after next year’s elections. The 48-year-old lawmaker also stressed that her concerns were about seniority. “This is not an age thing,” she said.
The Democrat Party has been in turmoil since November after failed Democrat presidential candidate lost to President Donald Trump. Not only that, though, since Democrats lost seats and power across the country at state levels.
The party also faces a tense mid-term election in 2018, especially in the Senate. 23 Democrats face re-election and 10 of them represent states that Trump won.
After the election, Rep. Tim Ryan (D-OH) decided to challenge Pelosi for the leadership spot because he believed it was time for a new direction. He lost the challenge 134-63. But he has kept up his criticism of Pelosi, saying in June “that ‘it’ll be very hard’ for Democrats to win back the House with Pelosi in charge because she remains polarizing in swing districts.”
Sánchez took her seat in 2003 and represents parts of eastern los Angeles County. She serves as Democrat caucus vice chairman and led the Congressional Hispanic Caucus. She currently sits on the House Ways and Means Committee. She also went to the White House last month to meet with Trump about tax and immigration.
Could she be the next leader? Sánchez does not know if Pelosi could win another challenge and could not come up with a good challenger, but said, “I think I’m well placed to help make that transition to a new generation of leadership.”
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