Nancy Pelosi won't seek reelection, ending her storied career in the US House

FRANCE 24 English

Visit our website: http://www.france24.com  Like us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FRANCE24.English  Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/France24_en

Transcript

00:00I extend to you this gavel.

00:03She is seen as one of the most effective and polarizing figures in American politics.

00:09Nancy Pelosi, the first and only woman to serve as U.S. House Speaker,

00:13announced in a video message to her constituents in San Francisco

00:16that she would retire next year after 39 years in Congress.

00:20That is why I want you, my fellow San Franciscans, to be the first to know

00:25I will not be seeking re-election to Congress.

00:29Considered one of the most powerful women in American history,

00:32she is credited with facilitating the passage of Obamacare,

00:35which provided health care to 24 million Americans,

00:39and for helping to pass major bills on climate change and infrastructure.

00:43A key figure in convincing Joe Biden to withdraw from the 2024 race,

00:47she's also known as one of the few lawmakers who effectively stood up to Donald Trump.

00:52There are no votes in the House, a majority of votes, for a wall, no matter where you start.

00:58In fact, under Pelosi's leadership, the House impeached Donald Trump twice,

01:02the second time in the wake of the attacks on the U.S. Capitol.

01:06He's impeached forever, no matter what he says or whatever headlines he wants to carry around.

01:10You're impeached forever.

01:12In 2022, after Democrats lost control of the House,

01:16Pelosi stepped down from leadership but kept her seat.

01:19That same year, Pelosi's husband, Paul, suffered serious injury when an intruder broke into the couple's home,

01:25demanding to see her, as the country saw a rise in political violence.

01:30Nancy Pelosi is often a target of the right, demonized by conservatives as a San Francisco liberal,

01:36but it's a badge she wears proudly.

01:39Thank you, San Francisco, for trusting me to be your voice in Congress.

01:43At 85, Pelosi did not give a reason for her retirement,

01:47but it comes amid growing public pressure for elderly politicians to step aside to make way for a younger generation.

Category

Transcript

Be the first to comment

Recommended