The veteran politician missed the speech after Republicans took the House in the recent midterm elections. Despite saying she would step down from the role she has held since 2004, Ms. Pelosi said she would continue to represent San Francisco in the House, as she has for 35 years. The 82-year-old has served as speaker twice during her term in Congress and was the first woman to hold the role when she was elected in 2007. She revealed her decision in a speech on the House floor Thursday and was cheered by fellow Democrats who must now choose a new leader. The favorite to replace Ms. Pelosi as Democratic leader is Representative Hakeem Jeffries of New York. Image: Photo: AP Now in command, the presidency will likely pass to House Republican Leader Kevin McCarthy when the new Congress is sworn in on January 3. In her speech, she recalled visiting the Capitol for the first time as a child, when her father was sworn in as a member of Congress. He described the House chamber as “hallowed ground” and called it “the heart of American democracy.” “I never would have thought that one day I would go from being a housewife to being the speaker of the House,” she said. “I will not seek re-election to the Democratic leadership in the next Congress. It is time for a new generation to lead the Democratic caucus.” Referring to last year’s attack on Capitol Hill, she continued: “American democracy is magnificent, but it is fragile. Many of us here have seen our fragility firsthand, tragically in this room. And so democracy must forever be defended by forces who desire it do evil.” She also noted the increase in the number of women serving in the Corps since she first joined it and thanked her family and staff. “A new day is dawning on the horizon,” he added. Pelosi was first elected to the House in a special election and rose steadily through the ranks, securing leadership positions before winning her first term as president in 2007. She first served as speaker from 2007 to 2011 as Democrats led opposition to the Iraq war to control the House. He became president again in 2019, when Democrats rode a wave of opposition to Trump to win control of the House, and was re-elected president in November 2021.
