House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) on Thursday said Democrats overwhelmingly support President Obama’s jobs bill, despite opposition from a handful of loud party conservatives.
“Let me just say that what you’re suggesting is anecdotal. … the plural of anecdote is not data,” Pelosi said in response to TPM’s question at her weekly Capitol press conference. “Our caucus is very unified in support of the American Jobs Act and the fact that it is paid for. It may differ with some provisions within it, or the pay-fors, but they do not differ in the fact that we must get behind it.”
A small number of Senate and House Democrats have publicly taken issue with the jobs bill — particularly with the possibility that it will be paid for by ending tax benefits for wealthy Americans. But their criticisms have at times exceeded what you’d expect if the disagreements were minor — Sen. Jim Webb (D-VA) called the pay-fors “terrible” — which frustrates most Dems, and strengthens the GOP’s hand in its fight against the legislation.
“While you may notice the few who may speak out against, I hope you didn’t lose sight of where I began my comments today, that on the steps of the Capitol, Democrats stood together enthusiastically in support of the American Jobs Act and its passage now,” Pelosi added.
The White House is briefing Congressional Dems about the legislation, and still have time to tamp down the mini-revolt. But they’ll have to act soon if they want to avoid another patented Democratic circular firing squad situation.
Brian Beutler
Brian Beutler is TPM's senior congressional reporter. Since 2009, he's led coverage of health care reform, Wall Street reform, taxes, the GOP budget, the government shutdown fight, and the debt limit fight. He can be reached at brian@talkingpointsmemo.com.
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