House Dems Reach Leadership Deal

A race between Rep. Jim Clyburn of South Carolina and Rep. Steny Hoyer of Maryland for Minority Whip ended in an accord late Friday night that will give Hoyer the position and put Clyburn in a to-be-determined No. 3 spot. A number of Democrats reportedly withheld their support from either candidate to keep the race for Whip from coming to a vote. The agreement is a relief for Speaker Nancy Pelosi, who now heads into next Wednesday's caucus vote without any major leadership squabbles to worry about, except her own contentious decision to stay on as Minority Leader after losing the Nov. 2 elections. At least 20 Democrats have come out against keeping Pelosi in leadership, but she likely has enough support to keep the job.