Today I voted “present” in the vote for Speaker of the House, consistent with my eight-year push for new Democratic leadership. Now that we are back in the majority, I did not vote for a rival candidate because there are none.
I am very excited about the new Democratic majority. Finally, the Republican monopoly on power in Washington is over. Now, one half of one of the three branches of government will be able to stand up to President Trump when he is wrong.
This is the way America’s 200-year-old two-party system of checks and balances is supposed to work: speaking truth to power and competing to help the average voter.
We should use this opportunity to help all Americans have a brighter future. If we do a good job getting America back on track, we will more likely win the White House and a majority-Democratic U.S. Senate in 2020.
I hope our new House leadership will chart a sensible course, and show all of America that we are up to the job.
