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Nancy Pelosi, the first and only woman to serve as Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives and one of the most influential figures in Democratic politics, announced on Thursday (November 6) that she will not seek reelection, ending her 38-year congressional career. “I have truly loved serving as your voice in Congress,” Pelosi, 85, said in a video message addressed to her San Francisco constituents. “With a grateful heart, I look forward to my final year of service as your proud representative. As we go forward, my message to the city I love is this: San Francisco, know your power.” First elected in 1987, Pelosi made history as the first woman to serve as Speaker of the House, holding the gavel from 2007 to 2011 and again from 2019 to 2023. “It is a moment for which we have waited over 200 years. Today, we have broken the marble ceiling,” Pelosi said as she first took the gavel in 2007. During her tenure, Pelosi shepherded landmark legislation through the House, including the Affordable Care Act and COVID-19 relief packages. Her career also spanned defining clashes with President Donald Trump, including two impeachments, and a new era of Democratic politics. Thursday’s announcement came just two days after Democrats won a key California ballot measure she helped champion, redrawing the state’s congressional map to strengthen the party’s hand ahead of the 2026 midterms. On Thursday, politicians took to social media to share tributes in honor of Pelosi’s legacy in Congress. “For almost four decades, Nancy Pelosi has served the American people and worked to make our country better. No one was more skilled at bringing people together and getting legislation passed – and I will always be grateful for her support of the Affordable Care Act. She made us proud to be Democrats, and will go down in history as one of the best speakers the House of Representatives has ever had. Nancy, thank you for your leadership and your friendship. Michelle and I wish you and Paul the best in this next chapter,” former President Barack Obama wrote. For almost four decades, Nancy Pelosi has served the American people and worked to make our country better. No one was more skilled at bringing people together and getting legislation passed – and I will always be grateful for her support of the Affordable Care Act. She made us… pic.twitter.com/HZbWjm7GAt— Barack Obama (@BarackObama) November 6, 2025 “Thankful for the incredible leadership, transformational legacy, and powerful legislative impact of the Honorable Nancy D’Alesandro Pelosi,” House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries said. “She is the Greatest Speaker of All Time.” Thankful for the incredible leadership, transformational legacy and powerful legislative impact of the Honorable Nancy D’Alesandro Pelosi. She is the Greatest Speaker of All Time. pic.twitter.com/xr6YqXtYbA— Hakeem Jeffries (@RepJeffries) November 6, 2025 “There will be so many things to say about the legendary Nancy Pelosi’s transformational tenure in Congress—but for now, let’s start with “Thank you, Madam Speaker,” Hillary Clinton tweeted. There will be so many things to say about the legendary Nancy Pelosi’s transformational tenure in Congress—but for now, let’s start with “Thank you, Madam Speaker.” pic.twitter.com/U629CB7u0l— Hillary Clinton (@HillaryClinton) November 6, 2025 “Nancy Pelosi’s career has been a masterclass on leadership. The first woman to ever hold the Speaker’s gavel—and she did it better than most who came before her. From passing the Affordable Care Act to standing up to Trump, she never flinched. Madam Speaker, we salute you,” Rep. Jasmine Crockett said. Nancy Pelosi’s career has been a masterclass on leadership. The first woman to ever hold the Speaker’s gavel—and she did it better than most who came before her. From passing the Affordable Care Act to standing up to Trump, she never flinched. Madam Speaker, we salute you. pic.twitter.com/Z8y8B7KJ5J— Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett (@RepJasmine) November 6, 2025 See more reactions to Pelosi’s retirement below. I’m forever grateful for those who broke barriers so I can be where I am today. Speaker Pelosi is one of those people. A fierce fighter for San Francisco and our nation-and ever a daughter of Baltimore-Speaker Pelosi showed us that we have power and a responsibility to use it. pic.twitter.com/iOvF0hoKb2— Senator Angela Alsobrooks (@Sen_Alsobrooks) November 6, 2025 America is better because of Nancy Pelosi’s leadership. And I am a better leader because of her mentorship and support throughout my career. Never one to back down from a fight, she has spent decades working to make our country more just for America’s working families and… pic.twitter.com/3tFS9AxDZU— Rep. Jason Crow (@RepJasonCrow) November 6, 2025 Like so many Americans, I am grateful for @SpeakerPelosi‘s decades of service and leadership. One of the most effective leaders in modern American history, she has made millions of people better off – passing the Affordable Care Act, championing civil and human rights, and…— Pete Buttigieg (@PeteButtigieg) November 6, 2025 Thank you, Madam Speaker. Thank you for your grit, grace, unshakeable faith, and strategic brilliance. You’ve been the most effective Speaker of the House in American history, breaking barriers, fighting hard for workers and families, and serving as a mentor to so many of us.… pic.twitter.com/IPlfkdQnvH— Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley (@RepPressley) November 6, 2025 Nancy Pelosi will be remembered as the most effective Speaker in history. I’ve been proud to be her colleague and friend for many years, and the work she’s done to uplift the most vulnerable makes both California and our country grateful to have such a dedicated public servant. pic.twitter.com/YViyJI2ht3— Rep. Zoe Lofgren (@RepZoeLofgren) November 6, 2025 Truly the end of an era. @SpeakerPelosi didn’t just shatter glass ceilings — she paved the way for generations of women to lead. Because of her, millions of families & kids got health care. Our communities were transformed with once-in-a-generation infrastructure investments. We… pic.twitter.com/K8zcJ8qipN— U.S. Rep. Brittany Pettersen (@RepPettersen) November 6, 2025 House Speaker Emerita @TeamPelosi is a trailblazer, a fierce fighter for working families and children, and a principled leader. Her service has changed America for the better. pic.twitter.com/rZ3yL22ML3— Amy Klobuchar (@amyklobuchar) November 6, 2025 My dear friend and colleague Former Speaker Nancy Pelosi has announced she will not seek re-election. Her bold leadership paved the way for so many women and so much progress. Thank you, Nancy — for the fierce fight, the unwavering courage, and your decades of service to our…— Barbara Lee (@BarbaraLee_CA) November 6, 2025 Nancy Pelosi is undeniably the most formidable Speaker in history. Her leadership transformed Congress and made America a better place – passing legislation to lower health care costs, support veterans, and rebuild our infrastructure and so much more. My full statement: pic.twitter.com/Yrd8aiqSso— Rep. Shontel Brown (@RepShontelBrown) November 6, 2025 Nancy Pelosi has inspired millions of young women and public servants of all backgrounds. Her historic service as the first female Speaker of the House resulted in the Affordable Care Act, Respect for Marriage Act, and so many other groundbreaking bills that improved the lives of… pic.twitter.com/ARsXbS4LVD— Lloyd Doggett (@RepLloydDoggett) November 6, 2025 Nancy Pelosi shattered glass ceilings, championed healthcare, fought for LGBTQ+ rights, and led with courage and vision. When my dad, Congressman Grijalva, passed, she was right there. Thank you, @SpeakerPelosi, for your service to the people of San Francisco and our nation. pic.twitter.com/ZgIt4Ahy5u— Adelita Grijalva (@AdelitaForAZ) November 6, 2025 A steadfast champion for the District, we are deeply grateful for Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s years of service on the Hill. Under her leadership, the House voted twice to pass DC statehood—a critical milestone in our ongoing fight for full representation. I am proud to congratulate… pic.twitter.com/lfglri3nxp— Mayor Muriel Bowser (@MayorBowser) November 6, 2025 Nancy Pelosi is a badass with a big heart and unmatched legislative skills. While she’s best known for her impactful victories, I feel privileged to know her in the quieter moments too. After the attack on our family, the Speaker was at Pope Leo’s installation and said a prayer…— Josh Shapiro (@JoshShapiroPA) November 6, 2025 My friend… my forever Speaker… the greatest of all time. Nancy Pelosi is retiring. I served under her leadership (as Whip Floor Director and House Dem Caucus Executive Director) and I’ve never seen anyone better at unifying and leading a caucus. She could whip a bill like… pic.twitter.com/iaINJYKUor— Jaime Harrison (@harrisonjaime) November 6, 2025 Nancy Pelosi has inspired generations. Her courage and conviction to San Francisco, California, and our nation has set the standard for what public service should be. Her impact on this nation is unmatched. Thank you, Madam Speaker. Wishing you the best in this new… https://t.co/OeN7tLexlV— Gavin Newsom (@GavinNewsom) November 6, 2025 Nancy Pelosi will be recorded as the greatest Speaker in American history, the result of her tenacity, intellect, strategic acumen and fierce advocacy. She has been an indelible part of every major progressive accomplishment in the 21st century — her work in Congress delivered… pic.twitter.com/BG3tR2sCVw— Adam Schiff (@SenAdamSchiff) November 6, 2025 I often said Nancy Pelosi was the best Speaker of the House in American history — it’s why I awarded her the Presidential Medal of Freedom. When I was President, we worked together to grow our economy, create millions of jobs, and make historic investments in our nation’s future.…— Joe Biden (@JoeBiden) November 6, 2025 The lives of millions of Americans are measurably better because of your leadership, Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi. Thank you for all you’ve done for California and our nation. pic.twitter.com/qniFOmjg87— Rep. Malcolm Kenyatta (@malcolmkenyatta) November 6, 2025
