Pelosi will step aside from her leadership role after nearly two decades, capping an historic career as the Democratic Party's longest serving House leader.
"I will not seek reelection to Democratic leadership in the next Congress," Pelosi said in a speech on the House floor. The time has come for a new generation to lead the Democrats.
The decision was made after Republicans won the majority in the House. She was the first woman to hold the gavel.
"This is the most beautiful building in the world because of what it represents," Pelosi opened her speech, calling the Capitol a "temple of our democracy, of our Constitution, of our highest ideals," met with applause from Democrats in attendance.
When I was first elected in 1987, I never imagined that I would become House Speaker. I didn't intend to run for public office.
Speculation about Pelosi's political future increased after Democrats performed better than expected. With Pelosi at the helm and having just won her reelection, she appeared well positioned to remain in the top post, not to mention the number of legislative victories the party pulled off since President Joe Biden took office. It was unclear if Pelosi would stick to her pledge to serve for just four more years.
"The American people spoke and their voices were raised in defense of liberty, of the rule of law, and of democracy itself," Pelosi said. The people stood in the way of the attack on democracy. They didn't accept violence.
Some Democrats are waiting for the current leadership to pave the way for a younger generation to take over. Pelosi has been in leadership for a long time with the other two House Majority Leader and House Majority Whip.
Two of Pelosi's colleagues immediately followed her out the door. In a statement, he said he would continue his service in a different role. According to reports, Clyburn wants an assistant leadership post.
The lawmakers likely to succeed the trio are Hakeem Jeffries of New York, the minority leader, as well as the whip and caucus chair. The leadership elections will take place at the end of the month.
As Biden turns 80 years old on Sunday, Pelosi is stepping back.
During President Barack Obama's time in office, Pelosi advanced a number of his landmark bills, including theAffordable Care Act, the Dodd-Frank Act, and theStimulus Package.
Pelosi's husband, Paul, is still recovering after being violently attacked in late October at the couple's San Francisco home. David DePape has pleaded not guilty to attempted kidnapping and assault of a federal official's family member.
Pelosi thanked her colleagues for their well wishes for her husband as she finished her speech. Democrats lined up to hug the speaker after they gave her a standing ovation.
The news on Hoyer and Clyburn has been changed.
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