There have long been suspicions among CBC members and others that Pelosi didn't want to help Rangel. The votes of her lieutenants "confirmed what I think a lot of members had been feeling," the aide said.
Israel's vote was especially damaging because it undercut the cover King had given to New York Democrats to vote for a reprimand.
Israel's loyalty to Pelosi is well-known. "People aren't blind to why he was picked," the aide said, arguing that his loyalty to Pelosi trumped other Members' superior fundraising skills during the selection process for DCCC chairman.
The other aide said the party has been coming apart since the November midterms, and the Rangel censure vote didn't help. "The Caucus has suffered a lot of damage over the last few weeks. At some point, we have to start bringing people together," 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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