“She’s very alert. If Nancy can do anything, she’s the one who knows how to count. She counts every vote,” said Virginia Democrat Rep. Said Gary Connolly. “He is well aware of the fact that with a slim majority – including some members who voted against him two years ago – they have to try to explain that it was then and now. We cannot afford it. Uncertainty about the speakership To keep. “
On Monday, Pelosi’s office sent requests to heads of staff at the Democratic offices across the Hill, asking if their boss would be physically present for the vote. To win the Speakership, the member must receive at least 50% plus one. All members who vote must be in DC individually because the House will vote for a speaker before its rules contain the provisions of the package that has allowed Democrats to vote by proxy for months.
Michigan Rep. Alyssa Slotkin and Maine Rep. Jared Golden has said he has no plans to vote for Pelosi. Virginia Rep. A handful of Democrats, including Abigail Spanberger and some progressives – including the Missouri Rep. Elected Corey Bush and New York’s Jamal Bowman – have refused to say how they will vote. A Democratic member – Wisconsin Rep. Gwen Moore – Announced she tested positive for Covid earlier this week and Pelosi’s deputies are also concerned that other members will be absent due to internal health problems.
But Pelosi’s allies insisted he was confident he would easily win the vote on the floor on Sunday. “I’m fine,” Pelosi told reporters Monday, and members who spoke with the speaker recently said she was showing confidence she would be re-elected.
Pelosi told his members in a private call earlier this week that his only enemy in the fight for the speaker was Kovid, according to multiple sources familiar with it, as it could affect the number of members who could come to Washington and vote. While members are not explicitly barred from voting in times of illness, icoptics is another matter.
While Pelosi has little room for error, her colleagues warn that the speaker has a number of tools for disposal of votes, including fundraising, committee assignments and laws that could bring her to the floor.
Connolly said he is one of the few clear leaders who can provide harmony and leadership for a democratic majority. “I think it goes into a strong position in this situation, but they are clearly aware of the challenges in terms of numbers and the uncertainty of the coronavirus.”
The story was updated on Tuesday with additional developments.
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