Nancy Pelosi has announced her retirement from Congress, concluding a political career that spanned several decades. In a video message released on Thursday, she stated that she would not seek re-election at the end of her term in January 2027. At 85 years old, Pelosi has been a significant figure in U.S. politics, being the first woman to serve as Speaker of the House, a role she held from 2003 to 2011 and again from 2019 to 2023.
Pelosi emphasized her legacy in the video, stating, “We have made history, we have made progress,” and urged continued participation in democracy, particularly for her constituents in San Francisco, whom she encouraged to “know your power.”
First elected to represent San Francisco in 1987, Pelosi rapidly ascended within her party. As Speaker, her role is defined by the U.S. Constitution and places her second in the presidential line of succession. Throughout her tenure, she influenced the legislative agendas of multiple presidents and was instrumental in the passage of key legislation, including President Barack Obama’s health care reforms and significant initiatives during President Joe Biden’s administration focused on infrastructure and climate change.
She was also a central figure in the impeachment proceedings against former President Donald Trump, leading two separate efforts: the first in 2019 related to Ukraine and the second in 2021 in connection with the Capitol riots. Both resulted in Trump’s acquittal by the Senate.
Pelosi continued to play a role in Biden’s legislative initiatives, overseeing the passage of a COVID-19 relief bill, a bipartisan infrastructure package, and various social spending measures. In 2022, she was succeeded as House Democratic leader by Representative Hakeem Jeffries. After her speakership, she has remained influential, recently contributing to a California redistricting effort aimed at favoring Democratic candidates in the upcoming midterm elections.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/ce3xw3dw0zxo?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss