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Officials revealed a picture of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi in the US Capitol in a ceremony to recognize her.
Numerous supporters and friends of the politician spoke to emphasize Pelosi’s importance to American politics. The image in the Speaker’s Lobby shows Pelosi standing close to the Speaker’s chair while gripping a gavel.
The event was held in the US Capitol a few weeks after the House Speaker declared she would step down from her position as the head of the Democratic Party after holding the position for a while.
“This program was wonderful to me. It was like seeing the story of my political life revealed in front of me, not in terms of believing all the accolades, but in identifying with the persons who were presenting,” said Pelosi.
“You know the younger generation today has a saying, game recognizes game,” explained John Boehner, the former House Speaker who handed Pelosi the gavel in 2007.
“And the fact of the matter is, no other speaker of the House in the modern era – Republican or Democrat – has wielded the gavel with such authority or such consistent results,” he continued.
“You’ve been a fierce warrior for your party, but when the stakes were highest, you were willing to put the nation’s interest first and take the heat for it. Now that’s leadership. Leaders lead, Madame Speaker, and you, Madame Speaker, have led. And I’m here to say thank you for that.”
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Pelosi served well
Even though Pelosi and Boehner occasionally clashed on certain ideas, they both remained friendly. Additionally, both parties exchanged jeers and remarks during the ceremony, demonstrating their closeness despite their political differences.
Pelosi is a Democrat, while Boehner belongs to the Republican Party. During his appearance at the ceremony, former President Barack Obama called Pelosi “one of the most successful lawmakers” in the history of the United States.
“Just last week, she helped keep marriage equality, the law of the land, even after insurrectionists broke into her office. She never stopped defending democracy here at home and around the world,” Obama said.
“While you won’t be in leadership anymore, I’ll still feel better knowing that your portrait will be looking down from these walls, fighting everyone who sees it to keep up the fight,” he continued.
Considering her resignation as Speaker of the House, Pelosi endorsed 52-year-old Representative Hakeem Jeffries. Pelosi accepted the title of “Speaker Emerita” with gratitude after the House Democratic Steering and Policy Committee’s resolution to do so.
Pelosi’s resignation from the Democratic leadership was announced after her husband, Paul Pelosi, was injured during a violent attack intended for her.
“Sadly, a violent man broke into our family home yesterday morning, demanded to confront me and brutally attacked my husband, Paul. Our children, our grandchildren and I are heartbroken and traumatized by the life-threatening attack on our Pop. We are grateful for the quick response of law enforcement and emergency services and for the life-saving medical care he is receiving,” Pelosi said in a press release.
“Please know that your prayers and warm wishes are a comfort to our family and helping Paul make progress with his recovery. His condition continues to improve.”
Jeffries replacing Pelosi
Many Democratic leaders and congress members had already endorsed Jeffries as Pelosi’s replacement before Pelosi put her support behind him. With Jeffries in charge, the party is headed by legislators and leaders who are more experienced than he is. This indicates a generational change in the party’s leadership.
“If she steps aside, I’m very clear that Hakeem Jeffries is the person I will be voting for and leading the Congressional Black Caucus to vote for. Of course, I don’t always speak for everybody. Still, I’m very comfortable saying I believe that every member of the Congressional Black Caucus would vote for Hakeem Jeffries,” said Ohio representative Joyce Beatty.
“Nonetheless, a great deal is at stake because we’ll be in a presidential election. So my decision will again be rooted in my family’s wishes and my caucus’s wishes. But none of it will be very much considered until we see what the outcome of all of this is. And there are all kinds of ways to exert influence,” she added.
“Let’s spend the day at this moment continuing to process the historic nature of Speaker Pelosi and the opportunity that we’ve all had to serve with her. And it’s been an amazing experience,” Jeffries said.
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House Speaker making a mark
Even though she resigned, many still praise her political career. Leaders emphasized Pelosi’s unrelenting work to advance the rights of women and children. She supported legislation for health care, climate change, and child care throughout her tenure in US politics. Pelosi claims that she will always be working to protect the children’s and the nation’s futures.
“I’ve been elected for 26 years. I’ve been doing this for a while. I believe she has been the most effective Speaker and leader the House of Representatives has ever had. To me, every moment has been a blessing and an honor to serve with her,” said Tony Cardenas.
“Because of Nancy Pelosi, the lives of millions and millions of Americans are better, even in districts represented by Republicans who voted against her bills and too often vilified her. That’s Nancy — always working for the dignity of all of the people,” wrote a White House statement.
