House Speaker Nancy Pelosi is stepping down from House Democratic leadership but will remain in Congress.
The 82-year-old Pelosi made the announcement in a floor speech on Thursday, noting she will continue to represent her San Francisco, California district.
Pelosi said:
“I will not seek reelection to Democratic leadership in the next Congress. The hour has come for a new generation to lead the Democratic caucus that I so deeply respect.”
Pelosi was the first woman to hold House speakership and is the Democratic Party’s longest-serving House leader. Republicans officially won majority control in the U.S. House, ending a four-year Democratic majority. As of Thursday morning, Republicans had captured 218 seats in the chamber compared to Democrats’ 211.
The announcement comes weeks after her husband, Paul Pelosi, was attacked in their family home in California. Pelosi had said the attack on her husband Paul would impact her decision to stay in House leadership post-midterms.
President Joe Biden released a statement saying:
“History will note she is the most consequential speaker of the House of Representatives in our history. There are countless examples of how she embodies the obligation of elected officials to uphold their oath to God and country to ensure our democracy delivers and remains a beacon to the world. In everything she does, she reflects a dignity in her actions and a dignity she sees in the lives of the people of this nation.”
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