Pelosi’s bid to be speaker has opposition

Another Democrat said Thursday he would vote against Rep. Nancy Pelosi in a decisive tally early next year for House speaker, underscoring that the longtime leader still has work to do to reclaim the gavel.

Ms. Pelosi, who previously served as speaker from 2007 to 2011, easily won her party’s nomination Wednesday to serve as speaker in the next Congress. But 35 Democrats either voted against the California congresswoman or left their ballot blank in the secret-ballot vote.

Rep. Ron Kind, D-Wis., who voted against Ms. Pelosi in 2017 but had remained mum on how he plans to vote next year, said Thursday that he will not support her in January and is unlikely to change his mind.

“If she’s interested in peeling off the 16 or 17 that she needs right now, she’s probably better off burning up the phone lines with other members,” Mr. Kind said. “We still have a month to go, and I still think she has a math problem.”

Despite opposition from some members, Ms. Pelosi’s allies remained confident that the math would work out in her favor Jan. 3.

“Nancy Pelosi is going to be elected speaker,” said Rep. Steny Hoyer, D-Md., the incoming majority leader.

Scott won’t back judge

WASHINGTON — Sen. Tim Scott said Thursday he will oppose the nomination of Thomas Farr to the federal bench, assuring the controversial pick will not be confirmed.

The South Carolina Republican was the deciding vote in determining whether Mr. Farr, widely accused of efforts to disenfranchise black voters, would become a federal judge.

Mr. Scott’s decision comes after four days of intense drama and speculation about what the Senate’s only black Republican would do.

Sen. Jeff Flake, R-Ariz., made it clear he, too, would oppose Mr. Farr’s nomination. Senate Republicans could only afford to lose one vote and still confirm Mr. Farr. Senate Republicans control 51 seats, and all 49 Democratic caucus members were expected to oppose Mr. Farr.

Food stamp bill altered

A bipartisan deal on the multibillion dollar farm bill would scrap new work requirements for some older food stamp recipients — rejecting a plan backed by House Republicans and President Donald Trump.

Lawmakers expect to vote next week on the tentative deal, announced Thursday by House and Senate negotiators.

Democrats and many Senate Republicans opposed the work requirements, which became the biggest stumbling block to an agreement on the farm bill. The legislation sets federal agricultural and food policy for five years and provides more than $400 billion in farm subsidies, conservation programs and food aid for the poor.

Ryan’s biggest regrets

MADISON, Wis. — Outgoing House Speaker Paul Ryan named immigration and the national debt as his two biggest regrets as he prepares to leave office after 20 years in Congress, saying he has no immediate plans to return to public office.

The Republican lawmaker from Wisconsin, the 2012 vice presidential nominee, sat for an interview with The Washington Post as he prepares to step down. Mr. Ryan also delivered one of his final floor speeches, thanking his staff and voters of his Wisconsin congressional district, where he first won election in 1998 at age 28.

In a break with the GOPcontrolled Senate, Mr. Ryan said he opposes a resolution passed there calling for an end to U.S. involvement in the Yemen war, led by Saudi Arabia.