Pelosi Announces She Is Stepping Down From Leadership But Keeping Her House Seat

Speaker Nancy Pelosi, who has led Democrats in the House for two decades, announced Thursday that she would remain in Congress next year, but would step down from leadership. “No matter what title you all, my colleagues, have bestowed on me, speaker, leader, whip, there is no greater official honor for me than to stand on this floor and speak for the people of San Francisco,” Pelosi said, addressing the House chamber in a white suit. “This I will continue to do as a member of the House.” Pelosi became the first woman to lead a major party in either chamber in 2002, and took the speaker’s gavel following the 2006 midterm elections. Her announcement on Thursday, which came a day after Republicans found they had clinched enough seats to gain control of the chamber in the next Congress, is likely to empower a new generation of leaders, particularly a trio of lawmakers already serving in House leadership. Rep. Hakeem Jeffries of New York has widely been seen as the favorite to replace her and would be the first Black leader of a major party. Puck News reported on Thursday that Pelosi hopes to shepherd Jeffries into the speakership and help smooth the transition. Rep. Katherine Clark of Massachusetts, the assistant speaker, and Rep. Pete Aguilar of California, the vice chair of the Democratic caucus, have also been seen as contenders. Jeffries sat between Aguilar and Clark during the announcement. Other members of leadership sat in the same row: Reps. Jim Clyburn, Sean Patrick Maloney, Steny Hoyer, and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer. “With great confidence in our caucus, I will not seek reelection to Democratic leadership in the next Congress,” Pelosi said. This is a breaking news story that will be updated.