House Dems make leadership lineup official for 113th Congress with a unanimous election.
The leaders were unanimously chosen during a private caucus meeting: House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, House Minority Whip Steny Hoyer, Assistant Leader Jim Clyburn, Caucus Chairman Xavier Becerra, and Caucus Vice-Chairman Joe Crowley. Crowley, of New York, is the sole new member in Democratic leadership.
Pelosi was nominated for her leadership post by fellow California Rep. Mike Thompson, and seconded by three other members: Rep.-elect Joyce Beatty and Reps. Nydia Velazquez and Jan Schakowsky. Schakowsky called Pelosi the “most powerful woman in the world,” according to an aide.
The newest member of the team, Caucus Chairmen Xavier Becerra is reported by Wikipedia to be a member of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus.
And, from Roll Call, Jonathan Strong reports House Democrats Affirm Leadership Slate.
The Democratic Caucus re-elected Nancy Pelosi to be its minority leader on Thursday, continuing the Californian’s long reign as the top Democrat in the House.
Pelosi was nominated by her fellow Californian, Mike Thompson, who called Pelosi a triple threat on the political, policy and fundraising fronts, according to a Pelosi aide.
Her nomination was seconded by incoming representative Joyce Beatty of Ohio, along with Nydia M. Velázquez of New York and Jan Schakowsky of Illinois.
Minority Whip Steny H. Hoyer Maryland and Assistant Leader James E. Clyburn of South Carolina were re-elected to their posts, while Xavier Becerra of California was elected caucus chairman, a step up from the vice chairman slot he had previously held.
Joseph Crowley was elected caucus vice chairman; he is the only new face on the leadership team.
The next step is for House Minority leader Pelosi to schedule Steering Committee votes to appoint Democratic minority committee leaders. But, already, we should be proud that just even our topmost leadership seems to reflect more diversity than the entire House leadership team of the Republicans, even before we appoint our ranking members.
We should be proud that our leadership reflects the diversity of our nation including House Minority Leaders Nancy Pelosi as "perhaps the most powerful woman in the world", and Assistant Leader James Clyburn, a highly esteemed person of color in our Democratic ranks since the days of Martin Luther King, Jr., and Caucus Leader Xavier Becerra, a member of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus.
Meanwhile, as I reported two days ago in The nineteen new Republican House committee chairmen are all white males, the Republicans are still debating the possibility that "reaching out to women and minorities" might be a good thing for their future election prospects.
I referred to this article House Committee Chairs Will All Be White Men In Next Congress:
WASHINGTON -- House Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio) announced who will chair all of the major House committees in the next Congress. And it turns out they all have something in common besides party affiliation: they're all white men.
There isn't a single woman or minority included in the mix of 19 House committee chairs announced Tuesday -- a stark reality for a party desperate to appeal to women and minorities after both groups overwhelmingly rejected Republicans just weeks ago in the presidential election. The one female committee chair that House Republicans currently have, Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-Fla.), is stepping down because her term is up. While there are still two lower-tier House committees awaiting a chair assignment -- the Ethics Committee and House Administration -- neither committee has any women or minority members. ...
"Disappointed to see House committee chairmanships in the 113th Congress will not include a single woman. -PM," tweeted Sen. Patty Murray (D-Wash.), who included a link to Boehner's press release announcing the chair posts.
We should take a moment to be proud of our tangible achievement, from so long ago, I can not honestly remember when our first woman and person of color was elected to our leadership team, or a time when our leadership was not a diverse representation of our people. Perhaps, we have some "older" people here who can remind us?
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Xavier Becerra elected as chairman to House Democratic Caucus
A step up from vice chairman, Rep. Xavier Becerra was tapped in unanimous consent and elected as chairman to the House Democratic Caucus. (Photo/ Becerra for congress)
A step up from vice chairman, Rep. Xavier Becerra was tapped in unanimous consent and elected as chairman to the House Democratic Caucus for the 113th Congress.
The role comes as news surfaced of his growing appeal and his escalation up the ranks on the Hill. The Representative who serves the district of Los Angeles is known as the fifth most powerful among the Democrats in the House.
Becerra has represented the 31st Congressional district since 1992. He is a member of the powerful Committee on Ways and Means and is Ranking Member of the Ways and Means Subcommittee on Social Security.
Xavier Becerra wants to strengthen the middle class
“I am honored by the trust that my colleagues have placed in me to serve as their Chairman of the House Democratic Caucus. Working with a re-elected President Barack Obama, I know that our growing, diverse and united Caucus will be a driving force in the 113th Congress to protect and strengthen the middle class, create good paying jobs, and keep moving our country forward!” Becerra stated in a press release after the announcement was made earlier Thursday.