GovernmentExecutive.com

Handing House Speaker-elect Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., a significant loss even before she assumes the office, Minority Whip Rep. Steny Hoyer, D-Md., on Thursday trounced Rep. John Murtha of Pennsylvania in the race for majority leader on a 149-86 vote.

But Pelosi told reporters following the elections that the Caucus would remain unified. "As I said to my colleagues, as we say in church, let there be peace on Earth and let it begin with us. Let the healing begin," said Pelosi, who has a strained relationship with Hoyer. Hoyer said that while he and Murtha have had their differences, Murtha would continue to play an important role as chairman of the Defense Appropriations Subcommittee.

Federal employee groups were buoyed by Hoyer's win. His Maryland constituency includes many federal employees and he supports their causes, including the annual fight for pay parity between civilians and members of the military.

"Although there are dozens of federal friendly lawmakers, a small number of them go to extraordinary lengths to support the interests of the federal community," said Margaret Baptiste, president of the National Active and Retired Federal Employees Association. "Congressman Hoyer has been one of those champions and that's why we are especially happy that he has been elected."

Presidents of the two largest federal employee labor unions -- the American Federation of Government Employees and the National Treasury Employees Union - also said they were pleased with Hoyer's victory.

NTEU President Colleen Kelley called Hoyer a "key player on federal employee issues" and AFGE's President John Gage said Hoyer "has been a great friend to AFGE and we look forward to working with him in his new capacity."

The race for the majority leader post heated up after Pelosi endorsed Murtha this week, raising doubts about Hoyer's ability to hold onto his supporters. But Hoyer's backing held up in the face of a concerted effort by Pelosi's lieutenants to twist arms, with Pelosi reaching out to individual lawmakers herself.

Hoyer's victory immediately raised questions about potential problems between a politically injured Pelosi and emboldened Hoyer. "I think it was a mistake on her part to get heavily involved in this race," said Rep. Allen Boyd of Florida, a member of the moderate-to-conservative Blue Dog Coalition, two-thirds of which publicly backed Hoyer.

Both Pelosi and Hoyer took pains after the vote to stress their intent to work together. Rep. Barney Frank of Massachusetts, a Hoyer supporter, said the elections would have no significant impact.

"She's a very smart woman who made a mistake in judgment," Frank said. "I honestly think you will not see any problems whatsoever." Frank added that he believes Hoyer's strong support boiled down to a couple of factors including that Murtha represents an older tradition in the House and the general sense that Hoyer would be a better public representative for the Caucus.

Rep. Jim Moran of Virginia, who helped run Murtha's campaign for leader and predicted his victory, said it was clear his side did not get support from most of the incoming freshmen -- and asserted the Murtha team was lied to by some members who had indicated support in the secret-ballot race. He noted that Murtha's camp has "a pretty good idea" who those members are and suggested they are untrustworthy.

Moran added that incoming freshmen who supported Hoyer may find problems in getting their committee assignments. "It remains to be seen if their wished-for committee assignments are fulfilled," Moran said.

Democrats unanimously elected Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee Chairman Rahm Emanuel of Illinois as Caucus chairman, with Caucus Vice Chairman John Larson of Connecticut re-elected to his current position and Democratic Caucus Chairman James Clyburn of South Carolina elected as majority whip.

Members of the Democratic Caucus are scheduled to meet again later today to elect the 12 regional representatives for the Steering and Policy Committee, which oversees the official selection of committee chairmen and members.

Karen Rutzick and Jenny Mandel of GovExec.com contributed to this report.

COMMENTS

• "Rep. Jim Moran of Virginia, who helped run Murtha's campaign for leader and predicted his victory, said it was clear his side did not get support from most of the incoming freshmen -- and asserted the Murtha team was lied to by some members who had indicated support in the secret-ballot race. He noted that Murtha's camp has "a pretty good idea" who those members are and suggested they are untrustworthy. " Untrustworthy? Moran should be in jail and Murtha should have been prosecuted in ABSCAM! The biggest crook in Congress (Moran) supported a most unethical representative in Murtha! How can Pelosi ever establish herself as the one to bringing us the most ethical house ever? She is a professional politician and the daughter of a professional politician. She and her family never have done anything productive for this country and expect to live off us forever. She really blew this one! Now she should not be able to do anything productive for the next two years because she has proven to not have the power or support of her own party - thank God! Based on Moran's comments I think we might be able to assume that the in coming freshmen are more honest than Moran, Murtha and Pelosi! Taxpayer Posted November 17, 2006 6:50 AM
• I guess time will tell if Hoyer is also a big advocate for the employment of disabled vets in the government workforce. Since they face discrimination at every level, perhaps he will open his eyes up and see the big picture. Charlie Posted November 17, 2006 11:30 AM
• There is a difference between being an advocate for federal employees and just being a mouthpiece for the party. A true advocate for federal employees will look beyond legislation. For years now, our congressional representatives and even union leaders have avoided the obvious problem. Instead of changing the laws, they need to press for enforcement of the laws. There are a lot of federal employees and retirees out there who just want to be treated fairly. They want safe working conditions. They want competent management. They want OPM to stop covering up violations of their lawful rights. They want people to be held accountable for their actions. Maybe, our new House and Senate leaders ought to ask why the FBI refuses to investigate the complaints of federal workers regarding fraud and corruption in the government. Then they could ask why the Fraud, Waste and Abuse Hotline has been so worthless all of these years. Why does the DOL do those awful things to federal workers? Why are federal agencies like the VA being managed into total breakdown? I could go on. But, I think you get the point. Robert M. Posted November 17, 2006 8:04 AM