Nine House Democrats who are also veterans of the military signed a letter released Monday that backs Rep. Nancy Pelosi Nancy PelosiHoyer: House should vote on COVID-19 aid — with or without a bipartisan deal Ruth Bader Ginsburg lies in repose at Supreme Court McCarthy threatens motion to oust Pelosi if she moves forward with impeachment MORE (D-Calif.) as Speaker, arguing she has a proven record on national security and issues related to veterans.

The letter was spearheaded by Reps. Anthony Brown Anthony Gregory BrownPelosi seeks to put pressure on GOP in COVID-19 relief battle Democrats demand Esper explicitly ban Confederate flag and allow Pride, Native Nations flags Trump tweets key GOP lawmaker has committed to not changing Confederate base names MORE (Md,), Ted Lieu Ted W. LieuThe spin on Woodward's tapes reveals the hypocrisy of Democrats Larry Kudlow defends response to coronavirus: Trump 'led wisely' Lieu on Trump 'playing it down' on coronavirus: 'This is reckless homicide' MORE (Calif.) and Jimmy Panetta James Varni PanettaOn The Money: McConnell previews GOP coronavirus bill | Senate panel advances Trump Fed nominee who recently supported gold standard | Economists warn about scaled-back unemployment benefits Bipartisan bill introduced to provide tax credit to food and beverage distributors Overnight Defense: US formally rejects Beijing's South China Sea claims | House set to consider defense policy bill next week | 57 injured as firefighters battle warship blaze MORE (Calif.), and comes as opponents of Pelosi also flex their muscle.

“When Democrats were last poised to be in the majority, then-Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi made national security and the commitment to our veterans her top priority in the ‘Six for ‘06’ agenda,” states the letter.

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“As we emerge into the 116th Congress, we need a Speaker who has a proven record of serving our veterans and advancing policies that enhance our national security interests. Nancy Pelosi has that record.”

The pressure from Democrats with a military background is important given the fact that a number of the lawmakers pressing for a new leader also have military or national security backgrounds.

They include Rep. Seth Moulton Seth MoultonThe Hill's Morning Report - Presented by Facebook - Markey defeats Kennedy; Trump lauds America's enforcers in Wisconsin Moulton fends off primary challenges in Massachusetts Portland: The Pentagon should step up or pipe down MORE (Mass.), a former Marine Corp. officer who signed a letter released Monday that call for Democrats to back a new Speaker. Rep. Connor Lamb (Pa.) is another former Marine in Congress who has said he will not vote for Pelosi, while Rep.-elect Abigail Spanberger (Va.) is a former CIA officer.



Brown said it was important that Pelosi be elected to a second stint as Speaker because of her experience.

“I support Nancy Pelosi – I’m also a big supporter of Steny Hoyer Steny Hamilton HoyerOVERNIGHT ENERGY: California seeks to sell only electric cars by 2035 | EPA threatens to close New York City office after Trump threats to 'anarchist' cities | House energy package sparks criticism from left and right House energy package sparks criticism from left and right Hoyer: House should vote on COVID-19 aid — with or without a bipartisan deal MORE for Majority Leader, my good friend Jim Clyburn James (Jim) Enos ClyburnFauci, Black Lives Matter founders included on Time's 100 Most Influential People list Azar to testify before House coronavirus subcommittee Attacks against the police are organized and violent MORE for Majority Whip…we’ve got a lot of important, and will prove to be difficult work to do, so we need our very best, our most experienced,” he said during an appearance on MSNBC’s “Morning Joe” on Monday.



