Democratic congresswomen push to keep Nancy Pelosi in leadership post

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A group of Democratic congresswomen Friday stepped up a campaign to keep Nancy Pelosi as their party’s leader in the House of Representatives, responding to calls for the San Francisco lawmaker to step down from leadership after the party’s heavy election losses.

‘As the first woman speaker of the House, Nancy Pelosi has borne the brunt of unfair criticism and attacks, but her record of accomplishment speaks for itself -– particularly to women,’ the 31 female lawmakers wrote fellow Democrats.

‘At a time when the incoming majority is expected to threaten the progress we have made for women and families, we need Nancy Pelosi as Democratic leader to help us stay unified and fight back,’ they added.

Rep. John Boehner (R-Ohio) is expected to become speaker in January when his party takes control of the House. Democrats are scheduled to select their leaders next week.

Pelosi is seeking to return to the less powerful minority leader job she once held.

-- Richard Simon in Washington