A high-ranking Democratic member of the House of Representatives said Thursday that House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) and her leadership team should step down from her role as the chamber’s top Democrat.
Rep. Linda Sanchez (D-Calif.), vice chair of the House Democratic Caucus and the fifth-ranking Democrat in the chamber, said during an interview on C-SPAN's "Newsmakers,” that Democratic leadership does a “tremendous” job but, "we have this real breadth and depth of talent within our caucus and I do think it's time to pass a torch to a new generation of leaders.”
“And I want to be a part of that transition," Sanchez said.
"it's time to pass the torch to a new generation of leaders and I want to be a part of that transition" - @RepLindaSanchez on House Dems pic.twitter.com/PhB4hhJhLV
— CSPAN (@cspan) October 5, 2017
"I want to see that happen. I think we have too many great members here that don't always get the opportunities that they should, and I would like to see that change," Sanchez continued.
Pressed on her comments, Sanchez doubled down by calling for House Minority Whip Steny H. Hoyer (D-Md.) and House Assistant Minority Leader James Clyburn (D-S.C.) to step down as well.
“They are all of the same generation, and, again, their contributions to the Congress and the caucus are substantial,” she said. “But I think there comes a time when you need to pass that torch. And I think it’s time.”
The Washington Post noted that Sanchez, 48, is the highest-ranking House Democrat who has called for Pelosi, 77, to step down, but far from the first Democrat. Sixty-three members of Pelosi’s caucus voted last year for Rep. Tim Ryan (D-Ohio), when he tried to unseat her.
In a survey by McClatchy DC in August, 18 of 20 congressional candidates surveyed declined to say if Pelosi should stay on as House Minority Leader.
