House Speaker Nancy Pelosi is stepping down from her House leadership role according to a statement Thursday.
In an address to members of Congress, she said, “I will not seek re-election to Democratic leadership in the next Congress. For me, the hour has come for a new generation to lead the democratic congress that I deeply respect.”
Nancy Pelosi is considered one of the most effective political operatives in Washington, even by members on the Right. She first served as a U.S. representative from California in 1987. She retained this position for almost 35 years. While Pelosi is not leaving congress, the move is significant due to her relative position of power in the party.
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Pelosi famously feuded with President Trump during his administration. At a State of the Union Speech in 2020, Speaker Pelosi ripped up the President’s speech in an act of contempt.
Republicans officially took control of the House the day before Pelosi’s announcement. The GOP crossed the 218-seat threshold needed to control the lower chamber of Congress. Since the GOP controls the House, they will get the opportunity to select the House speaker.
California Republican Kevin McCarthy is expected to claim the mantle of Republican leadership in the next Congress, however, there could be an in-party battle for the post.
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Democrats will look for minority leadership in the House in Pelosi’s absence. Several names that have been floated by Axios are Hakeem Jeffries, Katherine Clark and Pete Agulilar. All three have held prominent roles in the Democratic establishment and are viewed as the forerunners for leadership in the party.
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Photo credits: NY Mag, Hindustan Times
