On Sunday, Nancy Pelosi was elected Speaker of the House for the 4th time by a narrow margin.
“As we are sworn in today, we accept a responsibility as daunting and demanding as any that previous generations of leadership have faced. We begin the new Congress during a time of extraordinary difficulty,” said Pelosi, acknowledging the challenges that lie ahead. “Our most urgent priority will continue to be defeating the coronavirus. And defeat it, we will.”
Many speculate that this may be Pelosi’s last term, as she has signaled her time as Speaker may be drawing to a close. Pelosi has led the Democratic Caucus since 2003, and is the first and only woman to ever hold the position.
Pelosi faces a difficult two years, as the partisan divide between Democrats and Republicans grows. With the fate of the Senate still uncertain, future legislation for more coronavirus economic relief hangs in the balance and will be one of the first fights Pelosi will take on.
“We have the most capable speaker in modern times,” Rep. Emanuel Cleaver (D-Mo.) stated. “She is clearly the most capable and competent speaker — to bring a large group of people with diverse backgrounds and political ideology together, and function as one.”
