WASHINGTON – Steny Hoyer, who represents all of southern Maryland in the U.S. House of Representatives, was overwhelmingly named House Majority Leader by a vote of 149 to 86. He beat out Rep. John Murtha of Pennsylvania, who was publicly endorsed by incoming Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi
(Calif.).
House Majority Leader is the number two position of power behind the Speaker of the House.
Hoyer currently serves as the House Minority Whip. The Minority Whip is a member of the minority party in the U.S. House of Representatives who assists the Minority Leader in coordinating the party caucus in its responses to legislation and other matters. Pelosi currently holds the Minority Leader seat.
In a press conference after the decision, Hoyer commended Pelosi and stated, “My pledge to my caucus and my pledge to this country is that I will work as hard as I can.” He went on to extend his good will toward Murtha in a gracious gesture.
Pelosi and Hoyer will assume their new roles in January when the new Democrat-controlled Congress, which was elected on Nov. 7, takes their seats.
Note: A more in-depth article will follow this evening.