Pelosi Takes Helm of House Democrats

WASHINGTON, DC, November 14, 2002 (ENS) - Hoping to find a new focus after their stunning losses in last week's midterm elections, House Democrats today elected California Representative Nancy Pelosi as the new House minority leader. Pelosi, a staunch environmental advocate, is expected to take a harder line against Bush administration priorities than her predecessor, Missouri's Richard Gephardt.

Pelosi, an eight term Congressmember from San Francisco, was elected as the first female party caucus leader by a 177-29 vote.

Just elected House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi. (Photo courtesy Office of Representative Pelosi)

Her only other serious competition, Representative Martin Frost of Texas, dropped out of the race on November 8 after it became apparent that Pelosi would hold the majority of the votes.

Over the past 15 years, Representative Pelosi has earned a reputation as a champion for liberal, environmental and women's issues. The nonprofit League of Conservation Voters, which monitors the voting records of all Congress members, says Pelosi has voted in favor of environmental issues 95 percent of the time during the 107th Congress, which ends in January.

"Congresswoman Pelosi is a treasured friend of the environment and we look forward to continuing to work with her to protect clean air, clean water, our most fragile places and the rights of those who defend them around the world," said Carl Pope, executive director of the Sierra Club. "Pelosi is a worthy successor of Rep. Dick Gephardt, who has always made protecting the environment a priority."

Gephardt stepped down from the Democratic minority leadership last week after eight years. He faced strong criticism from his party and voters for his role in the dismal Democratic showing in the 2002 elections, when Republicans retained control of the House and retook control of the Senate.

Pelosi said today she hopes to build on the "strong foundation" laid by Gephardt to advance Democratic efforts to reach out to Americans, increase voter turnout and spur grassroots activism.

Gephardt, attending Pelosi's press conference in support of the transition, replied that he is "confident that with her leadership, we're going to win back the House in 2004."

While pledging to work with House Republicans to form legislative compromises where possible, she also warned that she would not be willing to compromise Democratic values for political purposes - a step that Gephardt was often accused of taking.

"We must draw clear distinctions between our vision of the future and the extreme policies put forward by the Republicans," Pelosi said last week in announcing her bid for House leadership. "We cannot allow Republicans to pretend they share our values and then legislate against those values without consequence.

Today, Pelosi took a softer stand, noting that "we will work together with the Republicans on terrorism and we shall seek common ground on domestic issues and on the economy."

But she also cautioned, "where we cannot find common ground, we will stand our ground. We have a responsibility to do that for the American people."

Pelosi's first act as minority leader was to nominate Representative John Spratt of South Carolina, ranking Democrat on the House Budget Committee, to serve as her assistant.

"We want to develop a Democratic plan that promotes economic growth, giving the opportunity to all Americans to participate in that success," Pelosi said, noting that Spratt has been "a leader on the Budget Committee" and on the Armed Services Committee, on which he has served since 1982.

The new House Majority Leader, Tom DeLay. (Photo courtesy Office of Representative DeLay)

"Though my role has changed, my goal remains the same: I'll work hard to bring Republicans and willing Democrats together to get things done for the American people," said DeLay after his election. DeLay said his priorities in the House would include increasing the Republican majority, creating jobs, legislating permanent tax cuts, and passing the Bush administration's energy plan.

Environmental groups see Pelosi's ascension as minority leader as one of the few positive results of last week's elections, a sign that the Democratic Party may be preparing to return to its liberal roots, moving away from the centrist positions it has largely taken in recent years.

"Congresswoman Pelosi's forward thinking leadership and ability to bring people together is good news for the health and safety of the American people and their communities," said Pope.

"Representative Pelosi's combined commitment to environmental protection and her ability to organize and build consensus offer assurance to everyone who wants to protect America's environment for our families and for our future," he added.