WASHINGTON — In a clash highlighting tensions between Democratic leaders and one of their party's most important constituencies, House Democrats on Thursday backed a move to oust scandal-scarred Rep. William J. Jefferson (D-La.) from a powerful committee post, despite opposition from the Congressional Black Caucus.
On a 99-58 vote, the House Democratic Caucus endorsed a proposal by their leader, Nancy Pelosi of San Francisco, that would remove Jefferson temporarily from the Ways and Means Committee because of an FBI investigation of bribery allegations against him.
Jefferson, who is African American, has resisted pressure from colleagues to step aside voluntarily. But after making his case to the closed-door meeting of House Democrats, he left open the possibility that he may give up his committee seat rather than fight the matter on the House floor, where it would have to be ratified to take effect. The timing of that floor debate is uncertain.
Members of the black caucus who have supported Jefferson argued it would be unprecedented to force him off the committee before any criminal charges had been filed against him.
Rep. Melvin Watt (D-N.C.), head of the black caucus, warned that Pelosi's push for Jefferson's removal might cause black voters to conclude that "a different standard ... based on race" was being applied.
The controversy pits Pelosi and other House Democratic leaders against the black caucus at a time when the clout its members exert within their districts is especially important.
Turnout by black voters is considered crucial to Democratic hopes of winning control of the House in November's elections. The black lawmakers will be counted on to help spur that turnout, as well as to stymie efforts by Republicans to make political inroads among African Americans.
If Democrats do take charge of the House, African Americans stand to gain a large share of power: Five black lawmakers are in line to become chairmen of some of the House's most important committees.
Still, Pelosi took the risk of alienating the black caucus in service of another political goal: her party's efforts to promote the election-year argument that Republicans have fostered a "culture of corruption" in Washington.
"Our House Democratic Caucus is determined to uphold a high ethical standard," she said after Thursday's vote. "We said it, and now we are doing it."
