Moderate Democrats, many of them defeated Nov. 2, have little reason to cooperate with Speaker Nancy Pelosi when they return for the lame-duck session of Congress.
But several senior Democratic aides said leaders’ preoccupation with battles over the top spots — including her own efforts to shore up Caucus support for Minority Leader — was hindering the development to a cohesive legislative strategy for the lame-duck session.
“I don’t sense that there’s a real plan right now in place by the Caucus on how to cast some of these votes that may be tough,” one senior aide said. The aide predicted that the Democratic rank and file would pressure leaders to move quickly and adjourn for the year.
“For the most part, most Members are going to want to come back, take their votes and leave,” the aide said.
Rep. Bill Cassidy has his blood drawn by Alesha Barbour during a free hepatitis screening in the Rayburn House Office Building hosted by the Congressional Viral Hepatitis Caucus to recognize "National Viral Hepatitis Testing Day."
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