U.S. Rep. John Yarmuth says Nancy Pelosi is the only Democrat able to "hit the ground running" in leading the new Democratic-run House during a time when Democrats have a chance to show the country they can govern effectively.
Yarmuth — Kentucky's only Democratic congressman — said Monday he's "relatively confident" that Pelosi will win back the speakership when Democrats assume control of the House early next year.
The Louisville Democrat said his party has about six months next year to demonstrate whether they can govern effectively. After that, he says presidential politics will start dominating the political landscape ahead of the 2020 election.
Yarmuth is in line to become chairman of the House Budget Committee.
He said his priorities include passing infrastructure and gun-safety legislation and strengthening health-care protections for patients.
