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Dem Congressman: 'Not Afraid of Retribution' for Opposing Pelosi

June 23, 2017

Rep. Filemon Vela (D., Texas) said Friday morning that he is not afraid of opposing Rep. Nancy Pelosi's (D., Calif.) continued tenure as House minority leader.

Vela spoke with CNN host John Berman and said that Pelosi's prolific fundraising for House Democrats is not enough to keep her in a leadership role since Democrats have continued to remain in the minority and have not won a special election race in 2017.

"Oh, there's no question she is a prolific fundraiser," Vela said. "She raised millions and millions of dollars, but what has that money gotten us in the last four election cycles?"

Vela acknowledged there is a good chance that whoever would succeed her may not be able to raise as much money.

"I'm not saying that whoever comes in is going to be able to raise as much money as she is, but the money will be raised," Vela said. "But the fact is, when you take a look at those last four election cycles, all that money has been for naught."

Democrats have been in the minority in the House since 2010, when Republicans won a wave election and took control of the chamber.

Berman asked Vela if he was worried of retribution from Pelosi, who has maintained a strong grasp on the Democratic Caucus in the House for several years.

"No, I'm not afraid of retribution," Vela said.