Same Faces, New Roles Predicted In House Leadership Elections

The House will hold leadership elections Wednesday for both parties, with most predicting that job titles and not faces will change.

The Republicans, who achieved the majority during the Midterm Elections, are expected to vote Ohio Congressman John Boehner in as Speaker of the House. Current Minority Whip Eric Cantor (R-Va.) will likely be taking the role of House Majority Leader, second in command under Boehner.

For the Democrats, Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif..) is set to leave her role as Speaker and has voiced her candidacy to become House Minority Leader. Rep. Steny Hoyer (D-Md.) is predicted to become Minority Whip with Rep. James Clyburn (D-SC.) to in line for a third in command role.

There has been some tension over Clyburn and Hoyer’s simultaneous bids for the Whip position and many Democrats are still wary of the prospect of Pelosi in a leadership position.

Top House Democrat Slams Boehner's Economic Proposal

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) issued today a swift rebuke of Minority Leader John Boehner’s (R-Ohio) plan to lower government spending and create jobs.

“This morning, Leader Boehner said he wants to extend the tax cuts for the wealthiest few for two years, costing taxpayers $36 billion this coming year alone,” said Pelosi in a statement. “Boehner also supports permanently extending the tax cuts for the wealthy, which would add $700 billion to the deficit over the next 10 years.

“Mr. Boehner went on to say he wants to freeze spending at 2008 levels. That would cut critical funds for millions of Americans, including a cut of $13 billion in veteran health care and other benefits, even as the needs of our returning soldiers continue to grow.”

Pelosi's Official Statement On Cordoba House

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) released the following statement today regarding her prior calls for an investigation into those who oppose the construction of a mosque in Lower Manhattan:

“The freedom of religion is a Constitutional right. Where a place of worship is located is a local decision.

“I support the statement made by the Interfaith Alliance that ‘We agree with the ADL that there is a need for transparency about who is funding the effort to build this Islamic center. At the same time, we should also ask who is funding the attacks against the construction of the center.’

“For all of those expressing concern about the 9/11 families, we call upon them to join us in support of the James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act when Congress returns in September.”

House Passes Jobs Bill, Will Resume Recess

The House today passed a $26 billion measure that will provide emergency funding to cash-strapped states. $16 billion will go toward extending Medicaid funding through November, while the other $10 billion will help states avoid laying off teachers, policemen and other first responders.

The final vote today was 247-161 with three Democrats voting against the bill and two Republicans voting for it. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.), who called the House back into session for today’s vote, announced the tally, banged her gavel, and with that the House returned to its summer recess.

The White House announced after the vote that President Barack Obama would sign it into law later in the day…

Pelosi Blames GOP For Lackluster Job Numbers

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) just released the following statement regarding a report showing the unemployment rate remained at 9.5% during the month of July:

“This jobs report shows private employers and businesses taking the lead in our economic recovery — and a sharp turnaround from the 700,000 jobs per month lost under President Bush — despite Congressional Republicans fighting against the economic recovery every step of the way.”

“Today’s report shows our teachers, police officers, firefighters, and nurses are still feeling the worst of the Bush recession — while Republican leaders demean them as ‘special interests’ and try to block legislation that will grow our economy.  Democrats will return next week to save or create hundreds of thousands of jobs for our teachers, nurses, firefighters and police officers — and close loopholes that allow corporations to ship American jobs overseas.‪”