Nancy Pelosi announced her decision not to seek re-election to Congress, concluding her service in January 2027. This marks the end of her decades-long career in the U.S. House of Representatives.
Pelosi, 85, became the first woman to serve as Speaker of the House. She led the Democratic party in the lower chamber of Congress from 2003 to 2023. Her initial term as Speaker was from 2007 to 2011, and she returned to the position from 2019 to 2023.
The role of Speaker of the House is outlined in the U.S. Constitution and is third in the line of presidential succession, after the vice-president.
During her time as Speaker, Pelosi was involved in advancing legislative agendas. She played a role in the passage of the Affordable Care Act under President Barack Obama and supported legislation related to infrastructure and climate change during President Joe Biden's administration.
Pelosi also publicly challenged President Donald Trump during his presidency, including an incident where she tore a copy of his State of the Union address. Her political actions and public image frequently drew criticism from Republican members of Congress.
In a video message on Thursday, Pelosi stated, "We have made history, we have made progress," and encouraged ongoing participation in democracy. She also addressed her San Francisco constituency, saying, "San Francisco, know your power."