Dem Battle Royale over Jefferson Approaches

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Oh, it’s coming.

A couple of weeks ago, House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) asked Rep. William Jefferson (D-LA) to resign from his seat on the Ways and Means Committee. He said no. And there things have stood. But no more.

Yesterday afternoon, the Congressional Black Caucus voted — for the second time in three weeks — to the “involuntary removal” of Jefferson from the Ways and Means Committee.

And later in the afternoon, the Democratic Steering and Policy Committee met with Jefferson. That committee has the power to forcibly remove him from his seat. Jefferson reiterated his refusal to step down.

According to Roll Call, the members agreed Tuesday night “that the process of unseating Jefferson from Ways and Means should begin, possibly as early as Thursday.” It’s not clear that Jefferson’s appearance did anything to change their minds.

If the Steering Committee votes to oust Jefferson, “CBC sources have insisted the group will loudly close ranks behind Jefferson if Democrats try to take steps against him before an indictment.”

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