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Friday 18 November 2022

Pelosi to step aside from Dem leadership, remain in Congress

er in 2007, saying she had
cracked the “marble ceil-
ing,” after Democrats
swept to power in the 2006
midterm elections in a
backlash to then-President
George W. Bush and the
wars in Iraq and Afghani-
stan. When she was poised
in 2018 to return as speak-
er, in the Trump era, she
vowed “to show the power
of the gavel.”
Pelosi has repeatedly with-
stood leadership chal-
lenges over the years and
had suggested in 2018
she would serve four more
years as leader. But she
had not discussed those
plans more recently.
Typically unsentimental, Pe-
losi let show a rare moment
of emotion on the eve of
the midterm elections as
she held back tears discuss-
ing the grave assault on her
husband of nearly 60 years.
Paul Pelosi suffered a frac-
tured skull after an intruder
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi of Calif., acknowledges applauds from lawmakers after speaking on the House floor at the Capitol in broke into their home in
Washington Thursday, Nov. 17, 2022. the middle the night seek-
Associated Press
ing the Democratic lead-
Continued from Front “Every day I am in awe of including passage of the erine Clark of Massachu- er. The intruder’s question
the majestic miracle that Affordable Care Act with setts and Pete Aguilar of — “Where is Nancy?” —
It’s an unusual choice for a is American democracy,” President Barack Obama California have similarly echoed the chants of the
party leader to stay on af- she said. and the impeachments of moved as a trio, all work- pro-Trump rioters at the
ter withdrawing from con- Democrats cheered Pe- President Donald Trump. ing toward becoming the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, as
gressional leadership, but losi as she arrived in the Her decision Thursday next generation of lead- they hunted for Pelosi and
Pelosi has long defied con- chamber at noon. On short paves the way for House ers. Jeffries could make his- tried to stop Congress from
vention in pursuing power notice, lawmakers filled Democratic leadership tory if he enters the race to certifying Joe Biden’s elec-
in Washington. the House, at least on the elections next month when become the nation’s first tion victory over Trump.
In an interview with report- Democratic side, and Sen- Democrats reorganize as Black speaker of the House. David DePape is being
ers after her announce- ate Majority Leader Chuck the minority party for the After Pelosi spoke, Clyburn held without bail on at-
ment, Pelosi said she won’t Schumer joined. He later new Congress. released a statement say- tempted murder and other
endorse anyone in the joined a throng of lawmak- Pelosi’s leadership team, ing he looks forward “to charges in what authorities
race to succeed her and ers and hugged and kissed with Majority Leader Steny doing whatever I can to as- said was a political attack.
she won’t sit on any com- Pelosi on the cheek. Hoyer of Maryland and sist our new generation of Police said DePape broke
mittees as a rank-and-file The Speaker’s Gallery filled Democratic Whip James Democratic Leaders, which in and woke up Paul Pelosi,
lawmaker. She said the with Pelosi staff and guest. Clyburn of South Carolina, I hope to be Hakeem Jef- and the two struggled over
attack on her husband Some Republicans, includ- has long moved as a tri- fries, Katherine Clark and a hammer before DePape
“made me think again ing some newly elected umvirate. All now in their Pete Aguilar.” struck the 82-year-old on
about staying.”But in the members, also attended, 80s, the three House Demo- One idea circulating on the head.
end, after the election, she though House Republican cratic leaders have faced Capitol Hill was that Pe- Paul Pelosi was hospitalized
decided to step down. Leader Kevin McCarthy, restless colleagues eager losi and the others could for a week but is expected
“I quite frankly, personally, who’s seeking the speaker- for them to step aside and emerge as emeritus lead- to recover, though his wife
have been ready to leave ship in the new Congress, allow a new generation to ers as they pass the baton has said it will be a long
for a while,” she said. “Be- did not, telling reporters af- take charge. to new Democrats. haul. At the time, Pelosi
cause there are things I terward that he was “busy, Hoyer said after Pelosi’s re- First elected in 1987, Pelosi would not discuss her po-
want to do. I like to dance, I unfortunately.” marks that “it is the time for has been a pivotal figure in litical plans but would only
like to sing. There’s a life out Earlier, Pelosi noted in a a new generation of lead- American politics, long ridi- disclose that the attack on
there, right?” statement after The Asso- ers” and that he will also culed by Republicans as a her husband would affect
During her remarks on ciated Press called control step down from leadership San Francisco liberal while her decision.
the House floor, Pelosi re- of the chamber that, in the but stay in Congress. Cly- steadily rising as a skilled Historians have noted that
capped her career, from next Congress, House Dem- burn, the highest-ranking legislator and fundrais- other consequential politi-
seeing the Capitol the first ocrats will have “strong Black American in Con- ing powerhouse. Her own cal figures had careers later
time as a young girl with leverage over a scant Re- gress, has said he expects Democratic colleagues as rank-and-file members
her father — a former con- publican majority.” to stay in Congress next have intermittently appre- of Congress, including John
gressman and mayor — to Pelosi was twice elected year and hopes to remain ciated but also feared her Quincy Adams, the former
serving as speaker along- to the speakership and has at the leadership table. powerful brand of leader- president, who went on to
side U.S. presidents and do- led Democrats through Democratic Reps. Hakeem ship. serve for nearly 18 years in
ing “the people’s work.” consequential moments, Jeffries of New York, Kath- Pelosi first became speak- Congress.q