( CNN ) -- House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has struck a deal that ends the leadership fight for the number two slot in the new House minority , multiple senior Democratic sources tell CNN . Under the compromise , current House majority leader Maryland Rep. Steny Hoyer will become the Democratic whip , which will be the number two spot in the new Democratic minority . South Carolina Rep. James Clyburn agreed to end his bid for that spot and instead hold a new , third-ranking leadership post that will be created for him . In a letter to Democratic colleagues on Saturday , Pelosi said she plans to designate him `` Assistant Leader . '' In a statement Saturday , Clyburn -- an African-American -- said it was important that the party 's House leadership represented `` the diverse views , backgrounds and experiences of our membership . '' The new structure , he said , `` honors the diversity and fosters the unity '' of House Democrats . `` I believe this resolution allows us to begin the journey back to a stronger and more resilient majority , '' said Clyburn , the current majority whip and a congressman since 1993 . When the Democrats become the minority party in the House they lose the position of Speaker , a shift that left Hoyer and Clyburn jockeying for the House minority whip position . Hoyer also released a statement Saturday , saying he would look forward to serving as the Democratic whip . `` Since the election last week , I have made clear my belief that it was important for my friend Jim Clyburn to continue serving our Caucus as the third ranking member of our Leadership , '' he said . The deal allows Rep. John Larson of Connecticut to keep his post as Democratic caucus chairman and Rep. Xavier Becerra to remain as the vice chair of the Democratic caucus . Speaker Pelosi revealed the deal in a somewhat cryptic statement late Friday night . `` Should I receive the honor of serving as House Democratic Leader , I will nominate Congressman Jim Clyburn of South Carolina to the number three leadership position , '' Pelosi said .
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has announced a deal over the party 's leadership structure . Rep. Steny Hoyer will become the Democratic whip , and Jim Clyburn will be Minority Leader . The ` ` Assistant Leader '' position is a new , third - party leadership post . Clyburn supports the deal , saying it ` ` " the diversity '' of Democrats in the House .