The push by Pelosi was seen as payback by many in the room after Rice was one of the main megaphones behind a campaign to block the California Democrat from becoming speaker again.

“She was boxed out and the result was cooked before we walked in the room,” said a source in the room. “If you went by seniority then yes [she would have got the position]. But that’s not what happened. Scores being settled was first priority.“

But the decision by Pelosi to block Rice from the committee, instead recommending several freshmen to fill the open slots on the panel, sparked outcry from members of the New York delegation, who felt like Rice deserved the position as the more senior lawmaker.