Denver Congresswoman Diana DeGette has ended her bid to move up a rung on the U.S. House leadership team.
DeGette, who has spent two decades in the House, announced Nov. 7 that she would seek to move up to majority whip, the chamber’s No. 3 spot. In a statement released Monday, DeGette said was there was too much “pressure” to keep the current Democratic leadership team intact.
“Since my announcement, I have been heartened by the backing I have received across the caucus,” she said in the statement. “Over the last few days, however, many of my supporters have expressed concern about pressure they are receiving to return the three senior leaders to their posts without opposition.”
In the same release, DeGette said she expects to be selected chair of the Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee of the Energy and Commerce Committee. That would give her subpoena power over the Trump administration, including the EPA. She also will remain chief deputy whip.
The announcement is a victory for House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, who is trying to fend off an attempt by a small group of Democrats, including Colorado’s Ed Perlmutter and Jason Crow, to bring in new leadership as the party takes control of the chamber in January.
Perlmutter, who represents Colorado’s 7th Congressional District, signaled Monday that he’s continuing his effort, co-signing a letter with 15 other Democrats calling for a change. Perlmutter’s district includes Jefferson County as well as portions of Denver and Adams County.
“Our majority came on the backs of candidates who said they would support new leadership because voters in hard-won districts, and across the country, want to see real change in Washington,” the letter reads. “We promised to change the status quo, and we intend to deliver on that promise.”
THE #NeverNancy LETTER IS SENT — 16 signatures. pic.twitter.com/DYtIjjMhgZ
— Mike DeBonis (@mikedebonis) November 19, 2018
One of those newcomers is Jason Crow, who said during his campaign to unseat Rep. Mike Coffman in Colorado’s 6th Congressional District that he would oppose Pelosi for speaker.
However, he did not sign Monday’s letter. A spokesperson for Crow said Monday that the representative-elect still opposes Pelosi as speaker.
Also not signing: Ohio’s Marcia Fudge, whose name was on an earlier draft. Fudge has been mentioned as a possible alternative to Pelosi.
