News / Politics
Democrats Elect Steny Hoyer to be House Majority Leader
While Nancy Pelosi made history as the first woman to be elected Speaker of the House her choice for House majority leader fell by the wayside. Pelosi had nominated Pennsylvania Representative John Murtha as House majority leader but he was defeated by Maryland Representative Steny Hoyer in a 149-86 vote.
Hoyer had rallied support for the position by attracting the newly elected House Democrats as well as those representatives considered to be more moderate in political issues. His 25 years serving in Washington have gained him an admired reputation.
It was Hoyer’s flexibility that won out over Murtha’s rigid stance on the U.S.’s military involvement in Iraq. Murtha has been outspoken about his beliefs that America’s military should exit the embattled country.
Pelosi’s endorsement and subsequent statements promoting Murtha for the position upset many Democrats in the House. Many inside the party fear that any intra-party dissention could have an adverse effect on their majority role inside the House.
