The House Democratic leadership mold continues to harden, as Reps. Chris Van Hollen of Maryland and Debbie Wasserman Schultz of Florida are expected to remain in their current positions, which are effectively out of the upper echelon of caucus leadership ranks.

On Thursday, the Democratic Caucus is on track to sign off on keeping its top leaders in place for the 113th Congress — Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi of California, Minority Whip Steny H. Hoyer of Maryland and Assistant Democratic Leader James E. Clyburn of South Carolina.

Current Caucus Vice Chairman Xavier Becerra of California is on track to win his bid to become caucus chairman, and Reps. Joseph Crowley of New York and Barbara Lee of California are vying to become caucus vice chairman.

Pelosi’s Nov. 14 decision to stay left the top ranks in place, stranding three would-be leaders — Van Hollen, Wasserman Schultz and current Caucus Chairman John B. Larson of Connecticut — without obvious places to move up to.

That dynamic leaves Van Hollen and Wasserman Schultz, if they want to make future bids to move up the ranks, in the position of burnishing their leadership bona fides outside the formal leadership structure. Both are fixtures on cable television and loyal foot soldiers of the party, but they would still lack the formal leadership staff and perks that come with being leader, whip or the like.