Thaindian News

By Gina Gomez
Washington, Nov 18, (THAINDIAN NEWS) When the U.S. House of Representatives resumes its session in the month of January next year, Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi would again be seen leading her Democratic party in the House as the minority leader. In order to be elected to lead the House Democrats in the 112th session of the House of Representatives, the Democratic politician had to emerge triumphant against Republican candidate Heath Shuler by the sweeping margin of 150-43 in an internal party vote that was carried out secretly.

The voting was held in closed door meetings that lasted for two days before it came to light on Wednesday that Nancy Pelosi would be leading her party by assuming responsibility as the minority leader. On the very same day, the Republicans elected Rep. John A. Boehner of Ohio as Nancy Pelosi’s successor who would be the next House speaker in its upcoming 112th session. Prior to the selection of the 70-year-old Democratic politician as the minority leader, the Democrats took an unsuccessful initiative to delay the leadership selection for some more time so that the party would have more time to take into account the message that has been delivered by the voters.

Following the voting, Nancy Pelosi addressed reporters in a press conference in which she reiterated that she could not be blamed for the defeat that her party faced in the November 2 elections with the loss of 61 House seats. During the news conference, the Democratic leader emphasized that one of the prime factors which contributed to the defeat of the party was the national jobless rate which remained at or above 9.5 per cent for the last 14 months.