WASHINGTON (AP) — Nancy Pelosi and House Democrats opposing her bid to become speaker have discussed new rules that would likely limit party leaders to three two-year terms.
They'd drop for now a proposal to apply similar restrictions on committee chairs. The talks come as the California Democrat hunts enough support to be elected speaker when the new Congress convenes Jan. 3.
The suggestion was described by two Democrats speaking on condition of anonymity to discuss internal deliberations. No. 3 House Democrat Jim Clyburn of South Carolina said the description was accurate.
Prior terms as leaders while Democrats had the majority would count, essentially meaning Pelosi and her two top lieutenants would have one term left.
Democrats could elect a leader to a fourth term by a supermajority vote, perhaps a two-thirds majority.