House Minority Whip Steny Hoyer (D-Md.) on Wednesday declined to forecast his plans next year if Democrats remain in the minority, arguing the question is moot since his party is sure to capture the House in November’s midterms.
“We’re not going to fall short of a majority, so I don’t really have to consider that,” Hoyer said during a press briefing in the Capitol.
Questions surrounding the makeup of the Democrats’ post-election leadership team are gaining steam as the midterms approach and a crop of newer lawmakers push for changes at the top.
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The House Democratic Caucus has been led by Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.), with Hoyer as her senior lieutenant, since 2003. And Rep. James Clyburn (D-S.C.), the associate leader, has held the No. 3 spot since 2006.
All three leaders have given every indication they’re hoping to remain in power if the Democrats win back the Speaker’s gavel next year.
Yet Clyburn made waves over the weekend when he said that Democrats should clean house in their leadership ranks if the party fails to retake the lower chamber in November’s midterms.
“If we’re still in the minority [then] all of us have got to go,” he told told Politico.
Hoyer, who is eyeing Pelosi’s spot if she steps down, appeared cold to that idea on Wednesday. He insisted the entire leadership team is seeking ways to increase the party’s election chances in November — and not yet looking beyond.
“What we’re focused on — I think Jim Clyburn’s focused on — is taking back the majority,” Hoyer said.
“Speculating [about] what we’re going to do when we take back the majority is one thing; we’re speculating [about] what we’re going to do if we don’t,” he added. “I think we are going to [take back the majority], and I’m not going to speculate on what will happen if we don’t.”