House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-Md.) on Tuesday noted that it was Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.), not him, who promised to "drain the swamp" of corruption in Washington. "Really, I'm perfectly comfy in the swamp."
...in fact, I'd like to see it restocked in November."
Pelosi famously vowed in 2006 to "drain the swamp" that ensnared Republican members and their leaders during the George W. Bush administration.
Return with us now to those thrilling days of yesteryear...
During his weekly press conference on Tuesday, Hoyer clarified that he has never used that phrase.
"Nope. Nope. Wudn't me."
"I didn't use that term," Hoyer said when asked if he thinks Democrats have "drained the swamp."
"I'm really quite fond of mangroves..."
"What I believed and continue to believe is that we have made the ethics process work, and we have made it work in a meaningful way."
"You can see it working every day..."
Thanks, congressman. Nice evasive answer.
You're very welcome.
Hoyer's office pushed back against reports that his clarification was indicative of any kind of split between him and other Democratic leaders, including the Speaker, saying it was only in response to a question about whether Democrats have been able to "drain the swamp" as they promised to do.
"I do so like alligators..."
Still, after a year of working seamlessly to pass a difficult agenda through a very ideologically diverse House,
... that they control with an iron fist...
Hoyer and Pelosi have recently begun to show signs of divergence. Hoyer earlier this month said policymakers should consider raising the retirement age. He reiterated that position on Tuesday, even though Pelosi last week and again over the weekend clearly indicated she was opposed to the idea.