Nancy Pelosi Announces She Will Not Seek Reelection to the House
WASHINGTON (February 16, 2024) – Representative Nancy Pelosi, the longest-serving female Speaker of the House in U.S. history, announced today she will not seek reelection to Congress, bringing an end to a career spanning over three decades. The decision marks a important shift in the House Democratic leadership and concludes a period of unparalleled influence for Pelosi,who has shaped national policy and navigated some of the moast turbulent moments in recent American politics.
PelosiS departure comes after she stepped down from her role as House Speaker in January 2023,following a tumultuous period that included two impeachments of former President Donald Trump and the January 6th attack on the U.S.Capitol. While she continued to serve as a representative for California’s 12th congressional district, her decision not to run again signals a definitive transition to a new generation of Democratic leaders. The move also follows a precedent she set by adopting the title of “Speaker Emerita,” a designation now mirrored by former Speaker Kevin McCarthy.
First elected to the House in 1987, Pelosi rose through the ranks, becoming House Minority Leader in 2003 and Speaker in 2007 – the first woman to hold the position.During her tenure as Speaker, she oversaw the passage of landmark legislation including the Affordable Care Act and the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.
Pelosi faced significant opposition throughout her career, including two impeachment proceedings against President Trump – in 2019 related to his dealings with Ukraine, and in 2021 following the January 6th Capitol attack. The Senate acquitted him in both instances. She spearheaded the creation of the January 6th Select Commitee, which produced a thorough 1,000-page report detailing the events surrounding the attack and former President Trump’s role in inciting his supporters.
Following Democratic losses in the 2022 midterm elections, Pelosi announced she would not seek another term as House Democratic leader, paving the way for a new leadership team. Her decision to leave Congress altogether concludes a remarkable chapter in American political history, leaving a lasting legacy on the house of Representatives and the nation.
