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After Term-Limit Deal, Moulton Will Support Pelosi For Speaker

U.S. Rep. Seth Moulton at WBUR (Robin Lubbock/WBUR)
U.S. Rep. Seth Moulton at WBUR (Robin Lubbock/WBUR)

Massachusetts U.S. Rep. Seth Moulton has dropped his opposition to Nancy Pelosi's efforts to once again become House speaker and he said Wednesday he will now vote for her for the position.

He and other Democrats made the commitment after Pelosi, 78, agreed to term limits that would see her hold the post through 2022 at the latest.

As NPR reports:

While that exit date is four years away, the agreement satisfies the key demand that the anti-Pelosi lawmakers had focused on: the fact that the same small group of Democrats has led the caucus for years, choking off substantial advancement opportunities for younger lawmakers.

The small group of rebels, led by Moulton, struggled to block Pelosi from reclaiming the speakership — a post she previously held from 2007-2010, when she was the first female speaker in House history.

Said Moulton and six other Democrats in a statement: "We are proud that our agreement will make lasting institutional change that will strengthen our caucus and will help develop the next generation of Democratic leaders."

In a statement of his own, Moulton said conversations about party leadership have been difficult, but that "tough conversations make us stronger, not weaker, and we need to keep having them if we’re going to deliver on the change that we’ve promised the American people."

The Salem congressman had been one of 16 Democrats who signed a letter saying they were committed to new leadership. Moulton's campaign against Pelosi had angered many of his constituents who turned out at a town hall in November, and has sparked speculation of a possible primary challenge against him.

South Boston U.S. Rep. Stephen Lynch, who also signed the letter, has now said he also supports Pelosi for House speaker.

With reporting by WBUR's Benjamin Swasey

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