“A fierce internal battle is developing among House Democrats for a job that might not even be open next Congress,” Politico reports.

“Reps. Sara Jacobs of California and Lauren Underwood of Illinois are expected to seek the caucus vice chair post. The job is currently held by Rep. Ted Lieu of California, who is expected to step aside only if Democrats prevail in the midterms — allowing Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries to become speaker and other members of the party leadership to step one rung up the ladder.”

“The surprise defections of two Democrats on a Republican procedural vote has sparked soul-searching in the party and raised new questions about whether Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries—the possible next House speaker—has the muscle to keep members in line,” the Wall Street Journal reports.

“The votes showed that problems could potentially pop in the center of the caucus, alongside anticipated blowups on the left wing, and followed a dust-up over Jeffries’s recent private meeting with Jared Kushner, President Trump’s son-in-law.”

For members: Hakeem Jeffries Is No Nancy Pelosi