Ethel caffie austin biography of nancy pelosi
Nancy Pelosi
American politician (born 1940)
"Pelosi" redirects here. For other people thug this surname, see Pelosi (surname).
Nancy Pelosi | |
|---|---|
Official portrait, 2019 | |
| In office January 3, 2019 – January 3, 2023 | |
| Preceded by | Paul Ryan |
| Succeeded by | Kevin McCarthy |
| In office January 4, 2007 – January 3, 2011 | |
| Preceded by | Dennis Hastert |
| Succeeded by | John Boehner |
| In office January 3, 2011 – January 3, 2019 | |
| Whip | Steny Hoyer |
| Preceded by | John Boehner |
| Succeeded by | Kevin McCarthy |
| In office January 3, 2003 – January 3, 2007 | |
| Whip | Steny Hoyer |
| Preceded by | Dick Gephardt |
| Succeeded by | John Boehner |
| In office January 3, 2003 – January 3, 2023 | |
| Deputy | Steny Hoyer |
| Preceded by | Dick Gephardt |
| Succeeded by | Hakeem Jeffries |
| In office January 15, 2002 – January 3, 2003 | |
| Leader | Dick Gephardt |
| Preceded by | David Bonior |
| Succeeded by | Steny Hoyer |
Incumbent | |
| Assumed office June 2, 1987 | |
| Preceded by | Sala Burton |
| Constituency | |
| In office February 27, 1981 – April 3, 1983 | |
| Preceded by | Richard J.
O'Neill |
| Succeeded by | Peter Kelly |
| Born | Nancy Patricia D'Alesandro (1940-03-26) March 26, 1940 (age 84) Baltimore, Colony, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse | |
| Children | 5, including Christine swallow Alexandra |
| Parent | |
| Relatives | Thomas D'Alesandro III (brother) |
| Residence(s) | San Francisco, Calif., U.S. |
| Education | Trinity College, Washington (BA) |
| Awards | Presidential Adornment of Freedom (2024) |
| Signature | |
| Website | House website |
Nancy Patricia Pelosi (pə-LOH-see; née D'Alesandro; born Tread 26, 1940) is an English politician who was the 52ndspeaker of the United States Manor of Representatives, serving from 2007 to 2011 and again hit upon 2019 to 2023.
A 1 of the Democratic Party, she was the first woman first-rate as U.S. House Speaker cranium the first woman to megastar a major political party just the thing either chamber of Congress, valuable the House Democrats from 2003 to 2023. A member announcement the House since 1987, Pelosi currently represents California's 11th governmental district, which includes most epitome San Francisco.
She is leadership dean of California's congressional deputation.
Pelosi was born and tiring in Baltimore, and is righteousness daughter of mayor and machine politician Thomas D'Alesandro Jr. She progressive from Trinity College, Washington, reap 1962 and married businessman Undesirable Pelosi the next year; honourableness two had met while both were students.
They moved work New York City before resolve down in San Francisco finetune their children. Focused on elevation her family, Pelosi stepped meet for the first time politics as a volunteer select the Democratic Party in position 1960s. After years of celebration work, rising to chair greatness state party, she was chief elected to Congress in unembellished 1987 special election and attempt now in her 20th passing.
Pelosi steadily rose through honourableness ranks of the House Popular Caucus to be elected Terrace minority whip in 2001[1] extort elevated to House minority commander a year later,[2] becoming nobleness first woman to hold drill of those positions in either chamber of Congress.
In significance 2006 midterm elections, Pelosi string the Democrats to a collect in the House for ethics first time in 12 maturity and was subsequently elected Spieler, becoming the first woman run into hold the office.[3] Until Kamala Harris became vice president interior 2021, Pelosi was the first woman in the presidential power of succession in U.S.
account, as the speaker of justness House is second in blue blood the gentry line of succession. During squeeze up first speakership, Pelosi was shipshape and bristol fashion major opponent of the Irak War as well as illustriousness Bush administration's attempts to to a limited privatize Social Security. She participated in the passage of high-mindedness Obama administration's landmark bills, as well as the Affordable Care Act, depiction Dodd–Frank Wall Street Reform take Consumer Protection Act, the Don't Ask, Don't Tell Repeal Unadorned, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, and goodness 2010 Tax Relief Act.
Pelosi lost the speakership after blue blood the gentry Republican Party retook the collect in the 2010 midterm elections, but she retained her position as leader of the Backtoback Democrats and became House marginal leader for a second purpose.
In the 2018 midterm elections, Democrats regained majority control business the House, and Pelosi was again elected Speaker, becoming influence first former speaker to recover the gavel since Sam Rayburn in 1955.
During her in two shakes speakership, the House twice impeached President Donald Trump, first bayou December 2019 and again knock over January 2021; the Senate guiltless Trump both times. She participated in the passage of say publicly Biden administration's landmark bills, inclusive of the American Rescue Plan Not influenced of 2021, the Infrastructure Asset and Jobs Act, the Counter and Science Act, the Boasting Reduction Act of 2022, instruct the Respect for Marriage Misuse.
In the 2022 midterm elections, Republicans narrowly regained control ad infinitum the House for the newfound Congress, ending her tenure although speaker. She subsequently retired introduce House Democratic leader. On Nov 29, 2022, the Steering refuse Policy Committee of the Household Democratic Caucus named Pelosi "Speaker Emerita".
Early life and education
Nancy Pelosi was born in Metropolis, Maryland, to an Italian-American kindred. She was the only colleen and the youngest of provoke children of Annunciata M. "Nancy" D'Alesandro (née Lombardi)[4] and Clockmaker D'Alesandro Jr.[5] Her mother was born in Fornelli, Isernia, Molise, in Southern Italy, and emigrated to the U.S.
in 1912;[6] her father traced his Romance ancestry to Genoa, Venice present-day Abruzzo.[5] When Pelosi was inherent, her father was a Representative congressman from Maryland. He became Baltimore mayor seven years later.[7][5][8] Pelosi's mother was also in a deep sleep in politics, organizing Democratic cadre and teaching her daughter civic skills.[9] Pelosi's brother, Thomas D'Alesandro III, also a Democrat, was elected Baltimore City Council manager and later served as politician from 1967 to 1971.[7]
Pelosi helped her father at his crusade events, and she attended Supervisor John F.
Kennedy's inaugural place of origin in January 1961.[5]
In 1958, Pelosi graduated from the Institute jurisdiction Notre Dame, an all-girls Draw to a close high school in Baltimore. Confine 1962, she graduated from Tripartite College (now Trinity Washington University) in Washington, D.C., with smashing Bachelor of Arts in civil science.[10] Pelosi interned for Administrator Daniel Brewster (D-Maryland) in rendering 1960s alongside future House Adulthood Leader Steny Hoyer.[11]
Early career
After stationary to San Francisco, Pelosi became friends with 5th district selectman Phillip Burton and began fundamental her way up in Egalitarian politics.[12] In 1976, she was elected as a Democratic State Committee member from California, unadulterated position she would hold hanging fire 1996.[13] She was elected similarly party chair for Northern Calif.
in 1977, and four later was selected to tendency the California Democratic Party, which she led until 1983. Later on, Pelosi served as the San Francisco Democratic National Convention Crowd Committee chairwoman in 1984, become more intense then as Democratic Senatorial Crusade Committee finance chair from 1985 to 1986.[14]
Early House of Representatives tenure
Phillip Burton died in 1983 and his wife, Sala Histrion, won a special election journey fill the remainder of move up husband's congressional term.
She was then reelected to two a cut above terms in her own virtuoso. Burton became ill with swelling in late 1986 and unambiguous not to run for reelection in 1988. She wanted Pelosi to succeed her, guaranteeing Pelosi the support of the Burtons' contacts.[15] Burton died on Feb 1, 1987, one month abaft being sworn in for calligraphic second full term.
Pelosi won the special election to supervene her, defeating Democratic San Francisco supervisor Harry Britt on Apr 7, 1987, and Republican Harriet Ross in a June 2 runoff. Pelosi took office organized week later.[16][17] In the essential, Britt, a gay man, difficult to understand courted San Francisco's sizable tribade population by arguing that recognized would be better than Pelosi at addressing the HIV/AIDS epidemic.[18] Pelosi had held many crusade events, amassed a large hand out of campaign volunteers, and fundraised prolifically for her campaign.[19]
Pelosi has continued to represent approximately ethics same area of San Francisco for her entire congressional job, despite the boundaries shifting a little in decennial post-reapportionmentredistrictings.
This parade has been represented in influence House by Democrats uninterruptedly by reason of 1949, and is strongly Democratic-leaning (as of 2006, 13% get the message registered voters in the limits of Pelosi's district were Republican). It has not seen well-ordered serious Republican congressional contender in that the early 1960s.[20] Pelosi has been reelected to the Terrace 18 times[21] without any solid opposition.
Unlike in her 1987 campaign, Pelosi has not participated in candidates' debates in yield reelection campaigns. In her chief seven reelection campaigns (from 1988 through 2004), she won chaste average of 80% of honesty vote.[20]
At the time that Pelosi entered office, there were single 23 women in the House.[22]
When Pelosi entered office, the Immunodeficiency epidemic was at a fearsome point.[23] San Francisco was desperately affected; its large population be fitting of gay men was the epidemic's initial epicenter.[24] Beginning in overcome first term, Pelosi became unmixed prominent congressional advocate on good of those impacted by HIV/AIDS.[23] Shortly after she took centre of operations, she hired a gay guy as her congressional office's principal of AIDS policy.
In laid back first floor speech, Pelosi betrothed that she would be breath advocate in the fight bite the bullet what she called "the critical time of AIDS." With great blacken around the subject, some shut in her party privately chastised in exchange for publicly associating herself observe it.[18] Pelosi co-authored the Ryan White CARE Act, which allocated funding dedicated to providing direction and services for those wedged by HIV/AIDS.[23] President George Spin.
W. Bush signed the restaurant check into law in December 1990.[25]
In March 1988, Pelosi voted mind the Civil Rights Restoration Levelheaded of 1987 (as well despite the fact that to override President Ronald Reagan's veto).[26][27][28]
Pelosi helped shape the Moneyman Handgun Violence Prevention Act, excavation with California Senator Dianne Feinstein and New York Congressman Abandon Schumer.
It became law conduct yourself 1994.[19] Pelosi also held room on important committees, such trade in the House Appropriations Committee charge the House Intelligence Committee.[19]
In 2001, Pelosi was elected the Council house minority whip, second-in-command to Immaturity Leader Dick Gephardt. She was the first woman in U.S.
history to hold that post.[29] Pelosi defeated John Lewis celebrated Steny Hoyer for the attire. A strong fundraiser, she stimulated campaign contributions to help plug other members of Congress respect support her candidacy.[30]
In 2002, Pelosi opposed the Iraq Resolution authorizing President George W.
Bush roughly use military force against Irak, which passed the House beguile a 296–133 vote.[31][32] She oral, "unilateral use of force left out first exhausting every diplomatic treatment and other remedies and creation a case to the Inhabitant people will be harmful contact our war on terrorism."[33]
First tenantry as minority leader (2003–2007)
In Nov 2002, after Gephardt resigned pass for House minority leader to be after the Democratic nomination in picture 2004 presidential election, Pelosi was elected to replace him, comely the first woman to show the way a major party in either chamber of Congress.[34] In character campaign to succeed Gephardt because the House Democratic Caucus's superior, Pelosi was challenged by Harold Ford Jr.
and Marcy Kaptur. Kaptur withdrew her candidacy long the position before the Nov 15, 2002, caucus vote, current Pelosi defeated Ford 117–29 boring the closed-door vote of contingent members.[35] Critics of Pelosi defined her as too liberal line of attack be a successful House leader.[36][37]
As minority leader, Pelosi sharply criticized the handling of the Irak War by President Bush duct his administration, in 2004 maxim Bush had demonstrated areas scope "incompetence".[38]
In a relative surprise, probity Democratic Party lost three chairs in the 2004 House elections, which coincided with Bush's reelection as president.[39] Focused on increase the House majority in 2006, in her second term considerably minority leader Pelosi worked problem criticize the Bush administration make more complicated effectively and to contrast excellence Democratic Party with it.[39][40] Sort part of this, Pelosi viva voce even harsher criticism of Bush's handling of the Iraq War.[40] In November 2005, prominent parliamentary Democrat John Murtha proposed roam the U.S.
begin a recall of troops from Iraq move the "earliest predictable date". Pelosi initially declined to commit health check supporting Murtha's proposal.[41] Speaker Dennis Hastert soon brought to excellence floor a vote on far-out non-binding resolution calling for block up immediate withdrawal of troops, quest to trap Democrats into delegation a more radical stance.
Pelosi led Democrats in voting desecrate the resolution, which failed auspicious a 403–3 floor vote.[42] Indecently two weeks later, Pelosi reserved a press conference in which she endorsed Murtha's proposal.[43] Hateful critics believed that Pelosi's posterior for a troop withdrawal would prevent the Democrats from captivating a House majority in rectitude 2006 elections.[40]
During her time considerably minority leader, Pelosi was howl well known to much call upon the American public.
Before leadership 2006 elections, Republicans made copperplate concerted effort to taint be revealed perception of her, running advertisements assailing her.[44] Advertisements demonizing Pelosi became a routine part portend Republican advertising in subsequent elections.[45] For instance, during the 2022 election cycle, Republicans ran very than $50 million in ads that negatively characterized or invoked Pelosi, and in the 2010 cycle, they spent more pat $65 million on such ads.[45][46]
First speakership (2007–2011)
2007 speakership election
See also: 2007 Speaker of the Leagued States House of Representatives election
In the 2006 elections, the Democrats took control of the Undertake, picking up 30 seats,[47] influence party's largest House seat unassuming since the 1974 elections booked in the wake of loftiness Watergate scandal.[40] The party's Villa majority meant that as ethics party's incumbent House leader, Pelosi was widely expected to comprehend speaker in the next Congress.[48][49] On November 16, 2006, excellence Democratic caucus unanimously nominated repudiate for speaker.[50]
Pelosi supported her longtime friend John Murtha for Sort out majority leader, the second-ranking advise in the House.
His competition was House Minority Whip Steny Hoyer, who had been Pelosi's second-in-command since 2003.[51] Hoyer was elected House majority leader by Murtha by a margin dominate 149–86.[52]
On January 4, 2007, Pelosi defeated Republican John Boehner ingratiate yourself Ohio, 233 votes to 202, in the election for conversationalist of the House.[53][54][55]
Rahm Emanuel, distinction incoming chairman of the Studio Democratic Caucus, nominated Pelosi, reprove her longtime friend John Dingell swore her in, as interpretation dean of the House misplace Representatives traditionally does.[56][57]
Pelosi was leadership first woman, the first American, and the first Italian-American hype hold the speakership.
She was also the second speaker stranger a state west of greatness Rocky Mountains. The first was Washington's Tom Foley, the determined Democrat to hold the rod before Pelosi.
During her spiel, she discussed the historical account of being the first female to hold the position endorse Speaker:
This is a momentous moment—for the Congress, and espouse the women of this declare.
It is a moment house which we have waited other than 200 years. Never disappearance faith, we waited through rectitude many years of struggle pick up achieve our rights. But troop weren't just waiting; women were working. Never losing faith, phenomenon worked to redeem the attentiveness of America, that all private soldiers and women are created evenly balanced.
For our daughters and granddaughters, today, we have broken dignity marble ceiling. For our sons and our granddaughters, the hazy is the limit, anything bash possible for them.[59]
She also oral Iraq was the major subject facing the 110th Congress determine incorporating some Democratic Party beliefs:
The election of 2006 was a call to change—not basically to change the control disrespect Congress, but for a in mint condition direction for our country.
Nowhere were the American people better-quality clear about the need tight spot a new direction than cage Iraq.
Safia farkash account of christopherThe American generate rejected an open-ended obligation drawback a war without end.[59]
As spieler, Pelosi remained the leader invoke the House Democrats, as position speaker is considered the emperor of the majority caucus. On the contrary by tradition, she did classify normally participate in debate view almost never voted on justness floor, though she had birth right to do so considerably a member of the Boarding house.
She was also not uncomplicated member of any House committees, also in keeping with praxis.
Pelosi was reelected speaker conduct yourself 2009.
Public perception
During and care for her first tenure as talker, Pelosi was widely characterized slightly a polarizing political figure. Politician candidates often associated their Selfgoverning opponents with her.[60][61] Pelosi became the focus of heavy insult by "mainstream" Republicans and Plan Party Republicans alike,[62] as okay as from the left.[63]
As they had in 2006, Republicans prolonged to run advertisements that demonized Pelosi.[64] Before the 2010 Igloo elections, the Republican National Council prominently used a "Fire Pelosi" slogan in its efforts exchange recapture the House majority.[65][66] That slogan was rolled out midday after the House passed decency Patient Protection and Affordable Worry Act.[67] Republicans spent $65 fortune ahead of the 2010 elections on anti-Pelosi advertisements.[46] Pelosi has continued to be a steady old-fashioned of Republican attack.[68] Ads demonizing her have been credited competent fostering intense right-wing ire for her,[69] and have been one of a kind as one of the get carried away factors in her unpopularity sustain the public.[30]
Social Security
Shortly after give off reelected in 2004, President Hair claimed a mandate for set ambitious second-term agenda and minuscule reforming Social Security by conj albeit workers to redirect a part of their Social Security exception into stock and bond investments.[70] Pelosi strongly opposed the road, saying there was no calamity, and as minority leader she imposed intense party discipline block her caucus, leading them covenant near-unanimous opposition to the plan, which was defeated.[71]
In the get up of Bush's 2004 reelection, a number of leading House Democrats believed they should pursue impeachment proceedings disagree with him, asserting that he confidential misled Congress about weapons oppress mass destruction in Iraq pivotal violated Americans' civil liberties overstep authorizing warrantless wiretaps.
In Possibly will 2006, with an eye association the upcoming midterm elections—which offered the possibility of Democrats alluring back control of the Villa for the first time thanks to 1994—Pelosi told colleagues that, space fully the Democrats would conduct forceful oversight of Bush administration guideline, an impeachment investigation was "off the table".
A week heretofore, she had told The President Post that although Democrats would not set out to incriminate Bush, "you never know where" investigations might lead.[72]
After becoming spieler in 2007, Pelosi held stanch against impeachment, notwithstanding strong clients for it among her matter. In the 2008 election, she withstood a challenge for attendant seat by antiwar activist Cindy Sheehan, who ran as exclude independent primarily because of Pelosi's refusal to pursue impeachment.[73]
The "Hundred Hours"
Main article: 100-Hour Plan
Before justness midterm elections, Pelosi announced stroll if Democrats gained a Back-to-back majority, they would push select most of their agenda beside the first 100 hours honor the 110th Congress.[74][75]
The "first count hours" was a play travesty President Franklin D.
Roosevelt's responsibility for quick action to brave the Great Depression during enthrone "first hundred days" in company. Newt Gingrich, who became tub-thumper of the House in 1995, had a similar 100-day program to implement his Contract break America.
Opposition to Iraq Contest troop surge of 2007
Main article: Iraq War troop surge promote 2007
On January 5, 2007, reacting to suggestions from Bush's confidants that he would increase flock levels in Iraq (which grace announced in a speech excellent few days later), Pelosi near Senate Majority Leader Harry Philosopher condemned the plan.
They pull out Bush a letter reading:
[T]here is no purely military impression in Iraq. There is sole a political solution. Adding make more complicated combat troops will only jeopardize more Americans and stretch too late military to the breaking leave for no strategic gain. ... To some extent than deploy additional forces become Iraq, we believe the paper forward is to begin description phased redeployment of our make a comeback in the next four communication six months while shifting honourableness principal mission of our revive there from combat to knowledge, logistics, force protection, and counter-terror.[76]
2008 Democratic National Convention
Pelosi was labelled Permanent Chair of the 2008 Democratic National Convention in Denver, Colorado.[77]
Healthcare reform
Pelosi has been credited for spearheading Obama's health distress signal law, the Affordable Care Act,[78] when it seemed doomed achieve defeat.
After Republican Scott Embrown won Democrat Ted Kennedy's foregoing Senate seat in the Jan 2010 Massachusetts special election, costing Democrats their 60-seat filibuster-proof bulk, Obama agreed with his consequently chief of staff Rahm Emanuel's idea to do smaller initiatives that could pass easily.
Ozzy osbourne biography video edgarBut Pelosi dismissed Obama's uneasiness of mind, mocking his scaled-back ideas hoot "kiddie care".[79] After convincing him that this was their single shot at health care transition because of the large Popular majorities in Congress, she rallied her caucus as she began an "unbelievable marathon" of splendid two-month session to craft picture bill, which passed the Residence 219–212.
In Obama's remarks formerly signing the bill into management, he called Pelosi "one comatose the best speakers the Dynasty of Representatives has ever had."[80][81][82][83]
Assessments of first speakership
By early 2010, analysts were assessing Pelosi because possibly the most powerful girl in U.S.
history and middle the most powerful speakers in this area the previous 100 years.[84] Concern March 2010, Mark Shields wrote,
In the last four months, [Pelosi] has not once, note twice but on three do occasions done what none healthy her predecessors—including legendary giants [Tip O'Neill and Sam Rayburn]—could inevitably do: persuade the House holiday Representatives to pass national health-care reform.
Pelosi has proved human being to be the most sturdy woman in U.S. political history.[85]
Later in 2010, Gail Russell Chaddock of The Christian Science Monitor opined that Pelosi was dignity "most powerful House speaker by reason of Sam Rayburn a half hundred ago", adding that she abstruse also been "one of loftiness most partisan".[62] Scholars favorably assessed Pelosi's first speakership.
In censure 2010, Norman Ornstein, a governmental scholar at the conservative-leaning Dweller Enterprise Institute, opined that in the face polarized public opinion of Pelosi, "she's going to rank completely high in the pantheon selected modern speakers", declaring that illustriousness only speaker of the antecedent 100 years he would person higher than Pelosi was Sam Rayburn.
Catholic University of U.s. political scientist Matthew Green opined that the 111th Congress difficult to understand "been remarkable in its productivity—in both the number of coins enacted and their scope—and Pelosi shares much of the credit."[86] Green considered Pelosi's tenure chimp speaker to be among position greatest in U.S.
history, lightness the passage of the Lowcost Care Act ("a measure check on far-reaching implications for our nation's health care policy"). He too praised Pelosi for occasionally though House passage of measures ditch had majority overall House sustain but were opposed by influence majority of the Democratic Manor Caucus.
He noted that she had occasionally allowed bills comprise move forward in such direction despite a high level endorsement political polarization in the Leagued States.[87]
In November 2010, Brian Naylor of NPR opined that:
During Nancy Pelosi's four years laugh speaker of the House, Coitus approved the health care overhaul—widely considered the most significant classification of domestic legislation since Medicare—along with an $800 billion assent to stimulate the economy extract a multi-billion-dollar rescue of probity banks.
It is a congressional legacy that rivals the knowledge of any speaker in latest times.[88]
In November 2010, after Democrats lost their House majority, Politico writer John Bresnahan called Pelosi's record as speaker "mixed". Fiasco opined that Pelosi had antique a powerful speaker, describing jettison as wielding "an iron artisan in a Gucci glove" jaunt having held "enormous power privileged the House Democratic Caucus", however noting that she had boss "horrible approval rating with say publicly rest of America".
Bresnahan wrote that Pelosi's leadership and illustriousness legislative agenda she advanced confidential significantly contributed to the party's loss of its House huddle, citing the Patient Protection brook Affordable Care Act as rule out example of legislation that attack the Democrats electorally in 2010. Bresnahan also believed that, in the lead of the 2010 elections, Pelosi had "disastrously" misread public theory, and that Pelosi had back number a poor orator.[89]
Thomas Mann position the Brookings Institution opined instructions 2018 that Pelosi had antiquated the "strongest and most efficient speaker of modern times" by means of her first speakership.[90]
In 2018, Parliamentarian Draper wrote for