The “Squad” with Two Newest Members Voted Pelosi for Speaker

"nancy-pelosi-capitol-hill-2" (public domain) by Bruce Detorres

The members of the congressional “Squad” voted in favor of Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi, giving her another term as the Speaker of the House.

On Sunday afternoon, when the 117th Congress began, all of the six Democratic members of the Congressional “Squad,” including the recently added two members, voted for Nancy Pelosi, serving another term as the House Speaker.

Back in 2019 speaker election, Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib (D-MI), Congresswoman Ilhan Omar (D-MN), Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley (D-MA), and Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY), all voted in favor of Nancy Pelosi (D-CA).

Meanwhile, the two newest members of the “Squad” Congresswoman Cori Bush (D-MO) and Congressman Jamal Bowman (D-NY), also cast their votes in favor of Pelosi, even though they kept quiet about how they intended to vote in the speaker election when they were interviewed last month by CNN.

Bush previously told a CNN host, “What I’m going to do is make sure that the voices of the people of St. Louis are heard, and that we have what we need, and so you’ll find out then,” when she was asked about how she planned to vote in the speaker election. She added, “I’m working with my community.”

On the other hand, Bowman also gave the same answer when he was asked whether or not he would vote for Nancy Pelosi in the speaker election. In the same CNN interview, Bowman said, “You will find out when my vote is tallied. And again, organizing with our community to figure out what’s best.”

Then, as reported by the Associated Press, Bowman explained his vote after the speaker election, stating, “our country needs stability right now, and it’s really important for the Democratic Party to come together.”

On Sunday afternoon, long-time Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) secured another term as Speaker of the House of Representatives. This is her fourth term as the Speaker of the House since 2007, and she will serve until 2023. She received 216 votes for Speaker, seven more votes than Congressman Kevin McCarthy (R-CA), who is the runner-up.

McCarthy, who served as the House Minority leader since the year 2019, gained the second most votes in the election with 209 votes from the Republican caucus.

Pelosi, who is 80 years old, has been in Congress since the 1980s has not expressed any public provocations from other members of the caucus since she declared her intent to run again for Speaker.

After being elected, Pelosi made a brief speech in which she thanked Congressional Democrats for choosing her to the speakership position for the fourth time. Pelosi stated that she would “endeavor to meet the moment with courage, unity, and grace.” The Congresswoman added that it was an honor to be the Speaker of “the most diverse House of Representatives in the history of our country, with a record-shattering 122 women.”

In her speech, Pelosi also referenced the passing of the COVID-19 relief package. “Our most urgent priority will continue to be defeating the coronavirus — and defeat it we will,” said Pelosi. She also added, “With President-elect Biden and Vice President-elect Harris, who was elected two months ago from today, the House will continue our work to save lives and livelihood, to build back better in a way that advances justice in America.”

In the speaker election, only two Democrats ultimately defected, as they changed their option as to who should serve as the top Democrat in the House. Congressman of Pennsylvania, Conor Lamb, voted for Congressman Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY), and Congressman of Maine, Jared Golden, voted for Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL).

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