Alabama Democrats praise Nancy Pelosi’s leadership

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Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi announced on Thursday that she will step down next year from her position leading the Democrats in the U.S. House of Representatives. Pelosi made the announcement the day after election results showing that Republicans will control the lower House of Congress once the new Congress convenes on January 3. Pelosi is stepping down from her top leadership role but will remain in Congress next year.

“I will not seek reelection to Democratic leadership in the next Congress,” she said. “For me, the hour has come for a new generation to lead the Democratic caucus that I so deeply respect.”

Alabama Democrats praised Pelosi’s leadership. Alabama Democratic Party Chairman Randy Kelley said that the move by Pelosi surprised him.

“It really hit me hard,” Kelley told Alabama Today in a phone interview. “She has done a fantastic job. Whomever succeeds her will have big shoes to fill.”

Congresswoman Terri Sewell praised Pelosi in a press release.

“Speaker Nancy Pelosi is a true public servant whose tenure as Speaker of the House will be remembered as one of the most effective examples of leadership in modern history. For two decades, she has led the Democratic Caucus with dignity and grace, breaking down barriers for women and girls and putting the needs of the American people above all,” stated Sewell.

“I have been honored to partner with Speaker Pelosi to advance the needs of Alabama’s 7th Congressional District, including our work to pass H.R. 4, the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act,” Sewell continued. “While she will no longer lead our caucus, I have no doubt that Speaker Pelosi will remain a powerful force for good in our party and our nation. I look forward to continuing to serve alongside her.”

Pelosi became Speaker of the House for the first time following the 2006 election. 2008 saw the election of Barack Obama to the presidency – giving Democrats control of both branches of Congress and the Presidency for the first time since 1994. Pelosi helped pass the Obama agenda, including the Affordable Care Act of 2010 – Obamacare. The Tea Party movement that arose to oppose Obamacare gave Republicans control of the House of Representatives in a massive “red wave” election in 2010.

Despite the setback, Pelosi remained as the leader of the diminished House Democrats. In 2016 New York City billionaire Donald Trump won the Whitehouse, giving Republicans control of the government again. In 2018 Americans voted blue in large numbers giving Democrats control of the House again. Pelosi made history during the next two and a half years by impeaching Trump, not once but twice.

In 2020 voters gave Democrats control of the Senate and elected Joe Biden over Trump. Pelosi helped Biden pass the CARES Act, the infrastructure bill, and the Inflation Reduction act. Despite this, or perhaps because of this legislative success, voters gave the GOP narrow control of the House of Representatives on November 8. Election results by November 16 showed that Republicans would indeed lead the House going forward and that a Republican – likely Rep. Kevin McCarthy – would be the next Speaker of the House.  

“She has done an exemplary job,” Kelley said. “She helped pass the infrastructure bill and the CARES Act.”

The number two Democrat in the House – Rep. Steny Hoyer, is also stepping down from his leadership position, meaning there could be a wide-open contest on who will lead the Democrats moving forward.

“I really have not gotten any idea who should fill that role,” Kelley said when asked who he felt should be the Democratic leader going forward. “I won’t get into trouble by naming somebody.”

With Republicans now in control of the House, there is speculation that it might become more difficult for Biden to advance his agenda.

“I think there is some (Republicans) who have done everything they could to stop his agenda,” Kelly said. “He has been very effective at passing his agenda, though.”

Kelly said that the next two years will become essentially one long presidential campaign.

“This is basically two years of campaigning for the President’s race in 2024,” Kelly said. “The Republicans will do everything they can to sabotage his presidency. The good news is that the Democrats held onto control of the Senate, and there certainly was no “red wave” as many of the prognosticators had predicted.”

Pelosi’s husband, Paul Pelosi, is still recovering from a beating by an assailant with a hammer. Stepping down from leadership will allow her to spend more time with him as his recovery continues.

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