[ad_1]
WASHINGTON – Representative Brian Higgins of Buffalo got what he really wanted, as did California Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi.
Higgins has listed his top two legislative priorities at the top of the Democratic agenda when the party takes control of the House next month. And Pelosi got the support of Higgins for what looks more and more like his inevitable return to the presidency of the House.
After declaring for months that he would not support Pelosi's leadership bid at the next Congress, Higgins reversed the trend on Wednesday, because she had agreed to prioritize her two main problems : an important bill on infrastructure and a measure to open Medicare to people over 50 years old.
"I have an agreement in principle with the Democratic leader on these priorities and on the fact that I will be the main responsible for Medicare's membership," said Higgins in an interview to The Buffalo News, at the during which he announced his turn. .
Higgins explained his thoughts in a statement released Wednesday.
"Some will ask why I changed position," he said. "The answer is simple: I've taken a principled stance on issues of vital importance, not only to my constituents in western New York, but also to more than 300 million people." Americans can be improved by progress in these areas, but a principled position often requires a pragmatic vision to succeed. "
Higgins' move comes five months after he announced for the first time that he would not support Pelosi, 78, for the post of Democrat in power in the next House. Describing it as "distanced, frantic and misplaced," Higgins said at the time that her problems with Pelosi stemmed from the fact that she was not pushing infrastructure investments and her Medicare bill as energetically as # He would have liked it.
But in a statement, Pelosi said she'd be happy to do so at the next convention.
"For years, Congressman Higgins has been a tremendous leader in affordable, quality health care for all Americans," she said. His proposal to join Medicare is central to this debate as we work for the Affordable Care Act. "
Pelosi also announced support for a major infrastructure package.
"We are eager to work together to reduce the cost of health care for hard-working families and increase their salaries by building American infrastructure, which is also an important issue for Congressman Higgins," he said. she said. "I am honored for his support."
The overthrow of Higgins comes just two days after joining 15 other Democrats in the House for a letter demanding a new direction.
"We promised to change the status quo and we intend to keep that promise," the group wrote.
Higgins however indicated that he had changed his mind after a conversation with Pelosi and Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer of New York.
Representative Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif.) Speaks at a weekly news conference held on November 15, 2018 at Capitol Hill, Washington, DC (Alex Wong / Getty Images).
He said he and Pelosi had discussed his lack of attention to the major infrastructure bill and the Medicare bill that Higgins had put in place. 39; before.
"She apologized for what happened last year and took responsibility for it," he said.
Meanwhile, Schumer calls Higgins and agrees that these two bills will also be among the priorities of the Democratic senators.
Schumer seems to have played a major role in the reconciliation between Higgins and Pelosi.
The senator said he has spoken to Higgins several times over the last few days and that the congressman has said he wants to be actively involved in these infrastructure and health care bills.
"I told him it was a wonderful idea, called Pelosi, and I told him that I thought Brian would be a real asset to make sure these things were done," Schumer said. "She called him and I believe that they had a very productive conversation and I am very happy that Brian is playing a major role in this new Congress on two very important issues."
Higgins said that another factor influenced his decision. The two potential contenders – Karen Bass representatives from California and Marcia Fudge from Ohio – have both endorsed Pelosi in the past two weeks.
"In the end, we do not even have a semblance of a viable alternative at this stage," said Higgins.
Brian Higgins will not vote for Nancy Pelosi as speaker – but Tom Reed could
Higgins said that Ms. Pelosi – the first speaker in history between 2007 and 2011 – would play a "transitional" role, although he understands her reluctance to specify the exact moment she will leave the premier position Minister.
Pelosi is the highest Democrat in the House of Commons since 2003. She is considered a key legislator and driving force of the Affordable Care Act and the financial reforms adopted by Congress after the recession in 2010, but she also long been Republican. punching bag, a fact that has led some Democrats to fear being the most important party leader over the next two years.
Higgins' gesture, however, seems to negate Pelosi's replacement effort.
Democrats will control at least 233 seats in the next House, with three races still undecided. Pelosi needs 218 votes to become a speaker, and with only 15 remaining legislators from the group who opposed her, she will have the votes she needs to become a speaker if all the other Democrats in the next House join her and support it.
But hearing Higgins say that does not mean that the rebellion against her has been a failure.
"After conversations with Nancy and other caucus leaders, I have renewed my confidence that more voices will be heard, that members will each have more opportunities to advance policies that make sense." for the communities and the country we love, "he said.
[ad_2]
Source link
