With Republicans securing a slight majority in the House, and with California Rep. Kevin McCarthy (R) being elected the new Speaker of the House, previous Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D) has announced that she will no longer serve in a leadership role for Democrats. Pelosi will however still serve as a member of Congress.
“With great confidence in our caucus, I will not seek reelection to Democratic leadership in the next Congress,” Pelosi said.
“For me, the hour has come for a new generation to lead the Democratic Congress that I so deeply respect,” Pelosi added. “And I am grateful that so many are ready and willing to shoulder this awesome responsibility.”
The news comes after Pelosi's husband was attacked in their home. Since the attack, Pelosi had signaled that she was questioning her future as a leader of the Democratic Party. Now that Pelosi has announced that she will take a step back, after two decades of serving in the role, Democrats and Republicans alike are commenting, praising and criticizing the Democratic stalwart.
Florida Democrats praised Pelosi's years of service to their caucus.
Congressman-elect Jared Moskowitz told The Floridian that "Speaker Pelosi has sacrificed time from her family for service to our nation," adding, "As the first woman speaker she will also go down as one of the most consequential speakers ever."
Freshman Congresswoman Sheila Cherfilus McCormick told Publisher Javier Manjarrés that Speaker Pelosi "has done such a great job, especially welcoming new members, getting us onboard, pulling the whole caucus together, and I think that at this time, recognizing her need to step down for a new generation is so commendable but is such a loss."
I"t was teary-eyed beccaus we know how great she has been, but seeing her acknowledge the time to transition makes her an even better leader at the end of the day," added Rep, McCormick
Taking to social media, Florida Rep. Anna V. Eskamani (D) welcomed the announcement, expressing that it will make way for younger Democratic leadership to guide the party forward after the November 8th election.
"This is good to see," said Eskamani, affirming that "it's time for a new generation to lead."
President Joe Biden (D), much like President Barack Obama (D), praised Pelosi for her service, saying in a statement that "when I think of Nancy Pelosi, I think of dignity. History will note she is the most consequential Speaker of the House of Representatives in our history."
Florida Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D) took to social media to champion Pelosi's role, calling her "a hero, mentor, and friend." "As the first woman to wield the gavel in the House of Representatives, every little girl now sees through your eyes, that there are no limits to what she can accomplish," added Wasserman Schultz.
Republicans were not so complimentary of Pelosi, as you can imagine. Rep, Byron Donalds didnt' have much to say about Pelosi's speech, but what he did tell The Floridian said enough,
"It's a good thing overall, Glad to see it," said Rep. Donalds.
— Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (@RepDWStweets) November 17, 2022
Pelosi made the announcement on the House floor, commenting that it's time for a new generation to step up to the plate. Likewise, House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D) also announced that he would be stepping down from Democratic leadership, having served in a leadership role for 36 years.
Publisher Javier Manjarrér contributed to this story
