Dems reject Pelosi pick for top House post

House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi of Calif., followed by House Minority Whip Steny Hoyer of Md., arrives for a news conference on Capitol Hill in Washington, Tuesday, Nov. 18, 2014, to introduce the Democratic leadership team for the 114th Congress. Democrats re-elected Pelosi to another two-year term as House minority leader on Tuesday, two weeks after elections in which the party lost at least a dozen seats in the chamber. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh) House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi of Calif., followed by House Minority Whip Steny Hoyer of Md., arrives for a news conference on Capitol Hill in Washington, Tuesday, Nov. 18, 2014, to introduce the Democratic leadership team for the 114th Congress. Democrats re-elected Pelosi to another two-year term as House minority leader on Tuesday, two weeks after elections in which the party lost at least a dozen seats in the chamber. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)

By Associated Press November 19, 2014 1 min read

WASHINGTON (AP) – A day after re-electing Rep. Nancy Pelosi to lead them in the next Congress, House Democrats have rebuffed her effort to elect a close ally to an important committee post.

Democrats voted 100-90 on Wednesday to make New Jersey Rep. Frank Pallone the top Democrat on the House Energy and Commerce Committee. The loser was California Rep. Anna Eshoo, a Pelosi friend.

The Energy and Commerce panel is coveted because of its jurisdiction over high-profile issues like health, environment and communications.

Pelosi had taken the unusual step for a leader of sending a letter to Democrats supporting Eshoo.

Pallone was supported by Maryland Rep. Steny Hoyer, the No. 2 House Democratic leader and a long-time Pelosi rival.