Pelosi is losing it

In recent years, Democrats across-the-board have praised House Speaker Nancy Pelosi as an extremely effective legislative leader – perhaps being the most powerful and effective House Speaker in American history.

If you know anything about the history of the U.S. House of Representatives, you know that such statements are political hyperbole.  Pelosi might be in the top ten, but not much more.

One can concede that in recent years, Pelosi has shown a significant ability to maintain control over her Democrat Caucus.  Not so much since the Progressive Caucus has gained power.  There is a reason why you see the media interviewing squad members like Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal more than they do Pelosi.

For sure, there is Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer – but he seems almost irrelevant to the current process.  He cannot control Senators Joe Manchin and Krysten Sinema.  He has no leverage – ergo no influence.  You almost never see Schumer being interviewed.

Then there is President Biden.  Of course, he gets attention because he is the President of the United States.  But like Schumer, Biden does not seem to have the ability to influence the process, either.  He has held meetings – and even travelled to Capitol Hill to twist arms to get a deal on his legacy legislative packages.  No deal.  The impasse in Congress carries forward.

Pelosi may be the biggest loser in the process so far because she has displayed an inability to shepherd the legislations through the House.  On four occasions, Pelosi has made firm commitments to hold a vote on the Infrastructure Bill – and now even both bills.  She had to postpone each one of the announced votes.  That shows weakness.

In desperation, Pelosi has decided to pass both the Infrastructure Bill AND the Reconciliation Bill regardless of their future in the Senate.  She has reversed her promise to not send any bill to the Senate until it was confirmed that it would pass.

It is clear from her past statements that Pelosi would pass the Infrastructure Bill in a heartbeat if she could muster the voters – just to put SOMETHING on the scoreboard.  At times, she thought she had them – but she did not.  The Progressives will not give her the votes for the Infrastructure Bill until they have a slam dunk on the social welfare bill.

It is arguable that Jayapal is currently the most powerful member of the House – just as Manchin is the most powerful member of the Senate.  Jayapal has been forcing Pelosi to bow to Progressive demands since the beginning of the 117^th Congress.  

The person some Democrats proclaim to be the most powerful Speaker in America history is being humiliated on a day-to-day basis.  Yes, Pelosi is definitely losing it.

So, there ‘tis,