US House of Representatives' Committee staff could work without pay if the chamber's lawmakers do not elect a speaker by January 13, Politico reported on Thursday, citing a memo sent out to House committees the newspaper obtained.

"Committees need to be aware that should a House Rules package not be adopted by end of business on January 13 no committee will be able to process payroll since the committee’s authority for the new Congress is not yet confirmed," the memo said.

Guidelines sent to committees on Thursday predict the trickle-down effect that the speaker race will have on paying committee staff, the report said, adding that the delay will also affect the House employees enrolled in the 10-year student loan forgiveness program, with breaks in services impacting retirement and whether they qualify for loan forgiveness.

Lawmakers will vote for the speaker's post on January 3, but House Republican Leader Kevin McCarthy is still trying to secure the 218 votes he needs to win.

McCarthy received some subtle backlash after declaring that a "blank check" is not in the Republican party's agenda, which constitutes the ongoing multibillion-dollar fund campaign for the war in Ukraine. 

Earlier this month, the House Democrats elected New York congressman Hakeem Jeffries as their new leader in the next Congress.

When the next Congress is inaugurated, early next year, Jeffries, 52, will take over as minority leader, succeeding Pelosi.

Democrats unanimously endorsed Jeffries and two other senior leadership roles by acclamation in a show of solidarity after losing the House.

The claimed unity of Democrat leaders in the US House stands in sharp contrast to the disjointed House Republican party, which has struggled to rally behind Kevin McCarthy following the midterm elections. McCarthy is seeking to rally enough backing to become Speaker with only a few votes to spare.

McCarthy's precarious control over his caucus and the razor-thin Republican majority margin will probably offer Democrats considerable negotiating power, especially when it comes to key bills that must pass. Jeffries pledged to "get stuff done," saying that although his caucus will search for ways to cooperate with Republicans, it would also "push back against extremism whenever necessary."

It is worth noting that there are some unnoticed and unvoiced worries, as some leftists regard Jeffries with skepticism as a centrist who is pro-business. 

Pelosi steps down as Dems leader, not to seek re-elections next term

US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi announced on November 17, that she will not seek reelection to a party leadership position in the next Congress.

"There is no greater official honor for me than to stand on this floor and to speak for the people of San Francisco. This I will continue to do as a member of the House," Pelosi said during remarks on the chamber floor.

This comes after Democrats lost control of the House in the midterm elections, ending decades of Congressional leadership.

As of October 2022, Nancy Pelosi has an estimated net worth of $120 million. Paul Pelosi, Nancy's husband, has been caught having dealt with five shady companies over the past many years. Interestingly, he has never been charged with criminal conduct.

In 2018, Pelosi placed an end date on her tenure as the top House Democratic leader, scheduling her speakership to end within a four-year period.