CALIFORNIA, Md. (November 5, 2010)—Shortly after Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) announced plans to run for Democratic Leader in the next Congress, Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-Md.-5th) announced his "intention to explore a bid for Democratic Whip." The Democrats will assume the minority party status come January when the 112th Congress is seated.
"In the days since the election, I have received an outpouring of support from Democratic colleagues who have told me that I should remain in our party’s leadership, so that our Caucus can hit the ground running with a strong, tested leadership team," said Hoyer in a prepared statement. "Over the next several days, I will continue to speak to my colleagues about serving our Caucus as Democratic Whip, and I will announce a decision after I have consulted with them."