Nancy Pelosi is to step down as leader of the Democratic Party in the House of Representatives, a position she has held since 2003.
Pelosi, 82, was first elected to her California congressional seat during a 1987 special election. She will continue to serve as a representative for her Californian district as the Republican Party has just regained control of the House.
“History will note she is the most consequential Speaker of the House of Representatives in our history,” President Biden said about Pelosi in a Thursday statement.
On farm policy, Pelosi over the years learned to listen to Rep. Collin Peterson (D-Minn.), now an ag consultant.
More Leadership Changes
House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-Md.) also announced Thursday he will remain in Congress next year but won’t seek a leadership position.
Rep. Jim Clyburn (D-S.C.), the third-ranking Democrat in the House, said he looked forward to assisting “our new generation of Democratic Leaders,” naming Rep. Hakeem Jeffries (N.Y.) and Reps. Katherine Clark (Mass.) and Pete Aguilar (Calif.), who are expected to seek the top three spots, respectively.
Clyburn — who was crucial in securing Biden’s nomination in 2020 — wants to remain in the top tiers of leadership, and is expected to run for the assistant leader role.
More on elections:
A Divided Government: GOP Retakes the House by Slim Margin
Impact of the Elections on Farm Bill 2023
