FOLLOW US

Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi is in for the fight to keep her position and she could blame the COVID-19 pandemic that has plagued the entire world.

As much as we like to see the house of cards fall on Speaker Pelosi’s head, we are not keen to see anyone stricken with coronavirus. But it could be the virus that will stop her from reigning as Speaker again.

As The Hill reported this weekend, if enough members of the Democrat House Caucus,  do not show up to vote for Speaker, either because of the virus or for any other reason, there could actually be a Republican Speaker, even as they sit in the minority.

The reason for that is that the “blue wave” that was predicted never happened. Every Republican won reelection in the 27 races that were deemed “toss-ups.”

This leaves Democrats with a razor-thin margin and Pelosi is teetering on the edge of being just another California representative. House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy is possibly looking at being the next Speaker.

“Let’s say, just theoretically, we had six or eight people out with COVID and the Republicans have none. They probably could elect [Kevin] McCarthy,” Kentucky Rep. John Yarmuth, a Democrat from Kentucky,  commented on the possibility that the House Minority Leader becoming Speaker.

It may appear to be a pipe dream but it is, sadly, very possible. This week alone five representatives tested positive for the virus, which means the total number of House members who have contracted the disease since the pandemic began is, at a minimum of 35.

Pelosi is also likely to face opposition from some of the progressive members of her caucus like New York Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, who recently called for new Democrat Party leadership.

“We’re in a health care crisis, right? No one can get sick. That’s the X-factor here,” an ally to Pelosi and House Democrat, who wanted to stay anonymous, said. “We need everyone to be healthy. … That’s the big fear.”

----------------------------------------

Have a story you want USA Herald to cover? Submit a tip here and if we think it's newsworthy, we'll follow up on it.

Want to contribute a story? We also accept article submissions – check out our writer's guidelines here.