First Woman Speaker Concludes Four Decades in Congress
Nancy Pelosi, one of the most influential lawmakers in American history, has announced she will retire from Congress at the end of her term in January 2027, closing a political career that has spanned nearly four decades. In a video address released Thursday, the 85-year-old California Democrat confirmed she will not seek re-election, marking the end of an era in U.S. politics.
“We have made history, we have made progress,” Pelosi said in her announcement. “We have always led the way, and now we must continue to do so by remaining full participants in our democracy, and fighting for the American ideals we hold dear.” She concluded her remarks with a message to her constituents: “San Francisco, know your power.”
From San Francisco to the Speaker’s Gavel
Pelosi was first elected to Congress in 1987 at the age of 47, representing San Francisco. She quickly rose through the Democratic ranks, becoming House Minority Whip in 2001 and then the first woman in U.S. history to serve as Speaker of the House in 2007. She held the position until 2011, returned to it in 2019, and served until 2023.
As Speaker, Pelosi was second in line to the presidency, a role defined by both legislative power and political strategy. Her tenure was marked by pivotal moments in modern American history — from passing major healthcare and climate legislation to overseeing two impeachments of former President Donald Trump.
Shaping Modern U.S. Policy
Pelosi’s legislative influence extended across multiple administrations. Under President Barack Obama, she was instrumental in securing passage of the Affordable Care Act. During Joe Biden’s presidency, she helped guide several landmark bills through a divided Congress, including the bipartisan infrastructure law, the Inflation Reduction Act, and legislation protecting same-sex marriage.
Her relationship with Trump, however, was combative and often symbolic of the nation’s deep partisan divides. She famously tore up his 2020 State of the Union speech on live television and later led two impeachment proceedings against him — first in 2019 over his dealings with Ukraine, and again in 2021 for inciting the January 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol. Trump was acquitted in both cases.
When asked about Pelosi’s retirement, Trump said she was “an evil woman,” adding, “I’m glad she’s retiring. I think she did the country a great service by retiring.”
Legacy and Continued Influence
Pelosi stepped down as Democratic leader in late 2022, paving the way for New York Representative Hakeem Jeffries to take her place. Yet she remained a powerful voice in party strategy and California politics. Most recently, she played a key role in the passage of Proposition 50, a state redistricting measure aimed at helping Democrats flip five congressional seats in the 2026 midterms.
Throughout her career, Pelosi broke barriers and redefined what political leadership could look like in Washington. As the first woman to wield the Speaker’s gavel, she steered her caucus through some of the most contentious political battles in recent memory while leaving a legislative record that has reshaped healthcare, infrastructure, and social policy in the United States.
Her retirement closes a chapter on one of the most consequential congressional careers in American history, defined by determination, discipline, and an unyielding commitment to her party’s agenda and principles.
