Things you see in the movies": The elected Democrat goes rogue, revealing shocking threats from party leaders to fall in line.
An incoming Democratic congressman is revealing the ugly consequences he says party insiders warned him he could face if he refuses to fall in line behind House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY).
Rep. Don Leonard (D-OH) said Wednesday that top Democrats warned him he could lose committee jobs, see his legislative agenda blocked and face serious re-election hurdles if he withholds support for Jeffries' bid to become House speaker.
"It was actually a dinner with senior elected officials, and I let them know where I stood on the speaker, and they offered very friendly advice with very serious consequences," Leonard told TMZ DC. "It was not in the leadership. It was not their position to do that. It was just friendly advice from future colleagues. ".
When asked about the warnings, Leonard explained how damaging the consequences could be.
"The commission's tasks will be preserved. Being able to get legislation on the floor for votes is going to be difficult, and being able to get support for re-election is going to be a hard case to make,” he said. "Welcome to Washington DC. si. I'm not shocked, but I'm disappointed. ".
Earlier this week, Leonard claimed that lawmakers had warned that refusing to support Jeffries would mean "both making my life hell for the next two years here in Washington and being sure to lose my election in two years." ".