Here's why Rep. Pramila Jayapal supports Nancy Pelosi

Democratic Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi's bid to be the next House Speaker has the support of a prominent Seattle Democrat.

On Wednesday, 203 Democrats voted to nominate Pelosi as House Speaker, 32 opposed, three abstained and one was absent. The full House will vote in January whether to approve her nomination.

Progressive Democrats in Congress believe they would have more power if Pelosi is confirmed as speaker.

That's one reason Seattle Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal, the likely co-chair of the 2019 Progressive Caucus, supports Pelosi. Jayapal told KUOW after Wednesday's vote, "I voted proudly for Nancy Pelosi for speaker."

In meetings last week, Pelosi promised Jayapal that she would help get more progressives elected to U.S. House committees. Jayapal expects at least three progressives to land leadership roles.

"People don't always think about these committees, but we think they're extremely important," Jayapal said. Pushing the Democratic agenda "becomes much more possible when we have appropriate representation on the committees."

Democrats have debated internally whether Pelosi is the right choice for House speaker. Dr. Kim Shrier from the 8th Congressional District — Seattle's Eastside — hesitated, then hedged, when asked by KUOW if she would support Pelosi.

Jayapal has disagreed with Pelosi on multiple hot-button issues, including presidential impeachment (which Jayapal supports under the Trump presidency).

Jayapal now says Pelosi is the right leader, saying she could help Democrats work quickly in 2019 on topics including prescription drugs, the DREAM Act and gun control.

"We have about six months in this new Congress before everything starts to turn toward the presidential election. It is absolutely critical that we work quickly, that we have an incredibly effective first 100 days. I think Nancy Pelosi is the one that's going to get us there the quickest," Jayapal said.