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Watch: Pelosi Will Not Seek Leadership Role, Will Remain in Congress She Says in Speech Praising American Democracy
In a riveting walk through her life beginning with the moment as a six-year old girl that she saw the U.S. Capitol for the first time, and intertwined with the growth of the Democratic Party under her leadership, Speaker Nancy Pelosi praised American democracy as she announced she will not seek a leadership role in the aftermath of Republicans having won a slim majority in the House of Representatives.
“I will not seek reelection to Democratic leadership in the next Congress, for me the hour has come for a new generation to lead the Democratic caucus that I so deeply respect,” Speaker Pelosi announced. She will continue to serve in Congress.
Nancy Pelosi: “I will not seek re-election to Democratic leadership in the next Congress.” pic.twitter.com/rnYKjYbiga
— Justin Baragona (@justinbaragona) November 17, 2022
Historic address. @SpeakerPelosi announces she will not seek leadership in the next Congress. What a life of service. From #Baltimore to California to Washington, D.C. And good to see the extended standing ovation for the healing & recovery of Paul Pelosi. pic.twitter.com/RrDIoKqpxs
— Sherrilyn Ifill (@SIfill_) November 17, 2022
Her speech, reportedly crafted with the assistance of historian and presidential biographer John Meacham, Pelosi called the U.S. Capitol “a temple of our democracy, of our Constitution, of our highest ideals,” while warning that democracy must always be protected, a nod to the January 6 insurrection.
“Democracy must be forever defended,” she said. “The people…gave proof through the night that our flag was still there.”
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D) hails Democrats’ over-performance in the midterms:
“With these elections, the people stood in the breach and repelled the assault on democracy … and in doing so, gave proof through the night that our flag was still there.” pic.twitter.com/j5N3bkpIY9
— The Recount (@therecount) November 17, 2022
“This is the most beautiful building in the world because of what it represents,” Speaker Nancy Pelosi says during remarks on the House floor. “The Capitol is a temple of our democracy, of our Constitution, of our highest ideals.” https://t.co/dESbn66YOb pic.twitter.com/iQEjpWnN5Y
— ABC News Politics (@ABCPolitics) November 17, 2022
Her fifteen-plus minute speech earned a standing ovation from House Democrats, and some but not all Republicans, many of whom, it appeared, did not attend.
A standing ovation for @SpeakerPelosi as she concludes her remarks announcing she’ll be stepping down from party leadership in the House. pic.twitter.com/1ymaroz7cq
— Steve Herman (@W7VOA) November 17, 2022
standing ovation mostly from one side of the aisle pic.twitter.com/wTxpHQ5AcT
— Azi™️ (@Azi) November 17, 2022
Earlier, Puck’s Tara Palmeri reported Pelosi would stay on in Congress effectively in an “emeritus” role, helping new leaders grow into their roles.
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