WASHINGTON — Majority Whip Jim Clyburn, D-S.C., beat again a management problem on Thursday and can stay among the many high Home Democrats within the subsequent Congress.
Clyburn had confronted a last-minute, shock problem from Rep. David Cicilline, D-R.I., for assistant chief, the No. 4 put up, however the latter dropped his bid moments earlier than the vote and endorsed Clyburn, members leaving the closed-door vote mentioned.
Cicilline’s resolution signifies that Clyburn, 82, will stay in management at a time of generational change for the get together.
Some youthful Democrats had expressed frustration that Clyburn determined to remain in management, even after Home Speaker Nancy Pelosi, additionally 82, and Majority Chief Steny Hoyer, 83, introduced their plans to step apart for a brand new technology of leaders. Clyburn, the present majority whip, has served in Democratic management for practically 20 years.
Cicilline, who’s overtly homosexual and chairman of the LGBTQ+ Equality Caucus, stood up throughout Thursday’s election and gave a rousing speech in regards to the significance of getting an LGBTQ voice on the management desk, members mentioned.
“The purpose he wished to make is respectable, which is that LGBTQ members are a major a part of our caucus and we didn’t have one in any place of management,” Rep. Emanuel Cleaver, D-Mo., a Clyburn loyalist and fellow Black Caucus member, instructed NBC Information.
“I feel everybody understands that we in all probability ought to have been just a little extra intentional through the transfer to get folks to run for positions.”
Cleaver and different Democrats mentioned they’d be pushing to create a brand new management put up for an LGBTQ member after listening to from Cicilline.
As assistant chief, Clyburn will serve alongside a brand new management slate. His protege, Rep. Hakeem Jeffries, 52, of New York, will function minority chief within the subsequent Congress and would be the first Black lawmaker to steer a political get together’s caucus in both chamber. Democrats have additionally elected Rep. Katherine Clark, 59, of Massachusetts, as minority whip, and Pete Aguilar, 43, of California, as Democratic Caucus chairman.
Cicilline, 61, introduced his shock problem in opposition to Clyburn on Wednesday, arguing that Democrats wanted LGBTQ illustration in management and saying he was impressed to run after the current taking pictures in Colorado Springs at an LGBTQ nightclub.
However his bid was short-lived. Cicilline dropped out of the race on Thursday morning, after lower than 24 hours.
Though some youthful Democrats had argued that Clyburn ought to step apart, the South Carolina Democrat mentioned “Face the Nation” Sunday that he wished to stay in a management function in order that his get together nonetheless had illustration from the South. Clyburn’s supporters additionally argued it was vital to have an skilled member in management.
“When you’re in a decent state of affairs, you go to the previous quarterback, Tom Brady. That is the best way it’s in life,” Cleaver mentioned. “Individuals who have already had these experiences can present nice recommendation to younger folks.”
Rebecca Shabad and Sarah Mimms contributed.
