Nancy Pelosi ’emotional’ discussing attack on Capitol Building
Nancy Pelosi is the only woman to have served as House Speaker and, until the inauguration of Kamala Harris as Vice President today, (Wednesday, January 20) is the highest-ranking female elected official in USA history.
Ms Pelosi was first elected to Congress in 1987 after her father, Thomas D’Alesandro Jr, died.
Thomas D’Alesandro Jr served as a US representative from Maryland and Mayor of Baltimore.
She is dean of California’s congressional delegation, having started her 18th term in 2021.
Ms Pelosi represents California’s 12th congressional district which comprises four-fifths of the city and county of San Francisco.
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Ms Pelosi lost the speakership in 2011 after the Republican Party won a majority in the House of Representatives following the 2021 election.
She retained her role as leader of the House Democratic Caucus and returned in the role of House minority leader.
The Democrats regained control of the House in 2018 and she became Speaker again when the 116th Congress convened on January 3, 2019.
Under her leadership, the House of Representatives has twice impeached outgoing President Donald Trump.
The first impeachment took place on December 18, 2019, and the second was on January 13, 2021.
Ms Pelosi was re-elected as Speaker of the House for a fourth term on January 3, 2021 by a vote of 216 to 209.
Democratic lawmakers once again gave Ms Pelosi the gavel just hours after the historically diverse 117th Congress was sworn in.
This is expected to be her last after a deal with progressives was agreed.
In 2018, she struck a deal with Democrats who opposed her run, promising she would abide by proposed term limits for House leadership, meaning she would be able to serve only four more years.
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But it is her age that has shocked people all over the UK today after it was brought up in a segment on ITV’s Good Morning Britain.
During the show this morning, Gordon Brown was asked whether he would consider a return to politics despite his age, given Joe Biden is due to become the oldest US President in history today.
Mr Brown said: “I am far too young to be a leader, the last Prime Minister in Malaysia was 94.
“Joe Biden is 78, Nancy Pelosi is 80, so let’s vaccinate the over 70s and over 80s to make sure they are ready for the positions of power.”
But in reaction to Mr Brown’s comments, Good Morning Britain presenter Susanna Reid expressed her shock at Ms Pelosi’s age.
And in the wake of the interview, many people took to social media to show their support for Ms Pelosi.
One person tweeted: “Nancy Pelosi is 80 and a badass. Lesley Stahl is 79 and still not great at her job. That’s all. #60Minutes”.
Another person wrote: “Nancy Pelosi helping Chef Jose Andres with meals for the National Guard today in DC. Again, she is 80 years old, just survived a terror attack and there is a pandemic. #respect”.
One social media user added: “Preach & Amen. She’s a National Treasure and moves better at 80 than I do at 59 AND she’s still sexy as hell! @SpeakerPelosi”.
Another wrote: “My hat is off to Nancy Pelosi. The woman is 80 years old…QUEEN!!”
One person wrote: “Love her or hate her, Nancy Pelosi is a remarkable woman and true to her role in Government. However, this woman is 80 yrs old and strong and mighty and fearless!! God Bless her as she continues to show her love of Country Folded handsFlag of United StatesRed heart”.
The Democratic Speaker was born on March 26, 1940.
She was the only daughter and the youngest child of seven children born to Annunciata M “Nancy” D’Alesandro and Thomas D’Alesandro Jr.
She has been married since 1963 to Paul Francis Pelosi and they have five children and nine grandchildren.
The House Speaker was questioned about her age earlier this month.
Speaking to 60 minutes, journalist Lesley Stahl said: “You’re 80. Your number two Steny Hoyer‘s 81.
“Your number three, Jim Clyburn, is 80. Why haven’t you brought young people into the leadership?”
Ms Pelosi denied that House leadership isn’t trying to set up younger congresspeople for success.
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