The development has broad implications for the workings of Capitol Hill, promising to pave the way for a younger generation of Democratic leaders who will take over with Republicans in control of the House, while reshaping the party’s image after 20 years with Pelosi on the wheel . Here are five suggestions as the Pelosi era comes to an end.
A woman in charge
Pelosi is a historic figure, having become the most powerful elected woman in US history when she assumed the Presidency in 2007 and then repeated the feat again in 2019 after a long term in the minority. It’s a distinction he still holds.
From that unique perspective, she championed bills to advance women’s causes — including efforts this year to codify Roe v. Wade after the Supreme Court’s decision to eliminate abortion rights. And Pelosi’s speech Thursday from the floor of the House — where she introduced herself not only as President, but “wife, mother, grandmother” — was thick with references to the progress women have made since she was first elected 35 years ago. years — and the long steps that remain.
“When I came to Congress in 1987, there were 12 Democratic women. Now it’s over 90,” he said. “And we want more.”
Pelosi’s legislative legacy is widely known: She ushered in proposals as important as ObamaCare, the sweeping Wall Street reforms that followed the Great Recession and the massive climate package President Biden signed this year.
More than that, he built a well-earned reputation for counting votes and persuading reluctant lawmakers to support controversial legislation, even when it hurt them politically.
The combination made her among the most effective speakers in US history — and inspired women to follow her into politics.
“She’s broken glass ceilings and she’s been a real role model for generations of women — including me,” said Sen. Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.).
Unity speech
Pelosi comes from a family steeped in Democratic Party traditions — her father was a member of the House during the 1940s — and can be fiercely partisan in her confrontations with Republicans on countless political and policy issues. But her speech Thursday avoided the type of partisan fire-breathing that has become routine on Capitol Hill. Instead, Pelosi tried to meet the moment with a message of unity and high ideals, invoking legendary Republicans like Daniel Webster and Abraham Lincoln to argue that the fight for the country’s founding principles is a common cause. “We owe it to the American people to do our best, to fulfill their faith,” he said. “To reach forever the most perfect union – the glorious horizon promised by our founders.” If there was a partisan blow to Republicans Thursday, it wasn’t what Pelosi said, but what she left out. Referring to presidents she has “enjoyed working with,” Pelosi mentioned George W. Bush, Barack Obama and Joe Biden — but not Donald Trump. It was a glaring omission, though it didn’t seem to bother the few GOP lawmakers in the room to hear the speech. “I thought it was very positive,” said Rep. Joe Wilson (SC), who was among those Republicans in attendance. “I was happy to be there.”
Changing of the guard
Pelosi’s decision clears the way for a “new generation” of liberals to ascend the Democratic ranks, breaking the leadership barrier formed by the “big three” — Pelosi, Steny Hoyer (Md.) and James Clyburn (SC) — term two decades. “For me, the time has come for a new generation to lead the Democratic Caucus that I respect so deeply,” Pelosi said in her remarks. Minutes after the President’s decision, Hoyer — who served as Pelosi’s No. 2 for years — announced he would step down from the Democratic leadership next year, setting the stage for a seismic shakeup in the top echelons of the caucus. which will usher in a new slate of liberal leaders. Clyburn has said he plans to remain in leadership, but has not indicated which position. The announcements were music to the ears of younger, anxious lawmakers whose ambitions have been thwarted for years by leadership gridlock at the top. But that changing of the guard, while officially set in motion Thursday, has been the talk of Washington for months. House Democrats Chairman Hakeem Jeffries (DN.Y.), Assistant Speaker Katherine Clark (D-Mass.) and Caucus Vice Chairman Pete Aguilar (D-Calif.) are seen as the heir apparent to the “big three” . Neither of them, however, announced offers on Thursday, opting to make their longtime leader the focus of the day. “We’re all just trying to process what we heard and honor Speaker Pelosi’s legacy, what she meant to this room, what she meant to the California delegation and what she meant to me personally,” Aguilar told reporters. “These are the things I’m thinking about right now.” But while Pelosi and Hoyer are both on track to join his ranks, they see the move differently. “I feel balanced about all of this,” the President told reporters on Capitol Hill. “I’m not sad at all.” Hoyer, on the other hand, asked how he feels about stepping down from the leadership, replied: “It’s not good.”
A divided Congress and country
The party’s polarization has worsened dramatically during Pelosi’s years on Capitol Hill. And the House floor during Pelosi’s speech was a stark portrait of the stark partisan divides that plague both Congress and the country. On one side were Pelosi’s Democratic allies, who filled nearly every chair and cheered her on several times during the 16-minute speech. On the other side were only a handful of Republicans – and hundreds of empty seats. Republicans on hand — including Minority Whip Steve Scalise (La.) — were glowing in their characterization of the outgoing president, even as they emphasized their differences on policy. “It was historic,” said Rep. Doug LaMalfa (R-Calif.). “She’s been strong for her conference all this time. There’s a rivalry with opposing teams and all that, but you know, at the end of the day, we’re all trying to remember and think about how you get along with people.” But the GOP vacancies were a ready reminder of the tensions running between the parties, particularly after last year’s attack on Capitol Hill by a mob of Trump supporters. House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (D-Calif.) was among the Republicans absent. And some Democrats said they were not surprised by the GOP no-shows. “Unfortunately I expect a total lack of respect for civility, collegiality, institutional respect and frankly even respect for the American public,” said Rep. Gerry Connolly (D-Va.) of the Republicans. “The American public sent them a message, whether they want to accept it or not, last Tuesday. Which was: We want less of it. We want less division, less anger, less of this madness and much more civility and respect,” he continued. “And it’s like they didn’t hear anything.”
A warning for democracy
The final chapter of Pelosi’s tenure as Democratic leader will be marked by her staunch defense of American democracy — even as it brought her into direct conflict with her political enemies. As Speaker, Pelosi led two impeachments of former President Trump, created a select committee to investigate the attack on Capitol Hill on January 6, 2021, and ensured that the House reconvened after the impeachment to certify the results of the 2020 presidential election. — the hall itself had been infiltrated by riots. In her remarks Thursday, Pelosi was careful not to attack Republicans, but made clear the importance of preserving America’s founding principles if the country is to survive. “American democracy is magnificent – but it is fragile,” the President said. “Many of us here have seen first-hand his fragility – tragically, in this Chamber. And so, the Republic must be defended forever from forces that wish it harm.” McConnell congratulates Pelosi on “historic tenure” and “#RIPTwitter” trends for “career” as users await possible site collapse Pelosi’s decision to resign came just a day after official midterm results had turned the House into Republican control. But it was Democrats who had overperformed at the polls, preventing the significant gains that GOP leaders had expected. Warning of the fragility of democracy, Pelosi argued that voters recognized it as well. “Last week the American people spoke,” he said. “And their voices were raised in defense of freedom, the rule of law and the Republic itself.”
