HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES verona toes WASHINGTON, D.C. 20515 November 15, 2018. Dear Democratic Colleague: Inthe coming days, we will have the opportunity to — once again — nominate Nancy Pelosi as the Democratic candidate for Speaker of the House. I am proud to support her and urge you to join me in tis historic endeavor. Nancy Pelosi is a proven, skilled, and effective legislator who has demonstrated her wisdom and astute acumen in guiding our caucus and implementing @ bold and dynamic Democratic agenda that lifts all Americans. That is why I remain confident that she will masterfully lead us by supporting strenuous oversight ofthe Trump Administration and advancing legislation that works forall the American people. ‘We must recognize thatthe victory we achieved this month is due in large part to Naney Pelosi's stellar leadership. We cannot, however, allow the hubris ofthis victory to distract us from our humble mission: to proudly represent and serve the American people, 1o provide legislative oversight of the Trump Administration, and to diminish the disparities between the sich and the oor, the black and the white, and rural, urban, and suburban. In my 25 years of service in the House, there have been times that Ihave not voted for Nancy Pelosi in Caueus, but I have always, supported her leadership of the House and was proud to join my fellow Democrats in 2007 in supporting her becoming the first female Speaker ofthe House, Having seen her inaction, know that Naney Pelosi isthe seasoned and battle-tested leader we need. A‘ times like these, we need someone at dhe helm who can lea this ship through these turbulent and tumultuous times. ‘There js no one better positioned or with more experience than Nancy Pelosi would bea grave disappointment if Naney Pelosi is not Speaker of the House in 2019. We must show America, once again, that the Democratic Party is the party that governs. We cannot forget that, in her previous tem as Speaker, it was Nancy Pelosi who played a pivotal role in enaeting both the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA) and the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act. These landmark pieces of legislation prove that she is an effective legislator and a fighter forall Americans, especially the least amongst ws, Many of you have never had the opportunity to serve with a Democratic majority. Having served in both the majority and minority, I believe I know what is needed to ensure that our caucus remains effective, united, and responsive on behalf of our country. Ihave seen Naney Pelosi grow 1s a leader and that is why I belive i is eitically important that she is elected Speaker of the House.Ima year where we saw a record-breaking number of women running for office and winning seats in Congress, itis imperative that we resist the cavalier and short-sighted effort to oust one ofthe ‘most influential women in American history. Naney Pelos’s insight, fortitude, and strategic thinking is why House Democrats will bein the majrity in the 116th Congress. She —and no ‘one else — has earned our support to be Speaker. ‘Therefore, ask you to join me in voting for Nancy Pelosi as Speaker of the House Sincerely, Lip — 4 L. Rush Member of Congress