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Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.)

House Minority Leader, 112th Congress (since January 2011)

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Why She Matters

Born and raised amid the rough-and-tumble politics of Baltimore where her family ran the Democratic machine, Pelosi rose to the pinnacle of political power in January 2007 when she claimed the gavel as first female speaker of the House.

But her victory turned out to be short-lived as Republicans reclaimed the House majority in the 2010 midterm elections. But silencing doubters, Pelosi was overwhelmingly elected by House Democrats as their minority leader for the 112th Congress , defying the historical trend of speakers who either step down or are defeated when their party loses control of the lower chamber.

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News From Around The Web

Nancy Pelosi via Financial Times

Pelosi aide joins Facebook’s D.C. lobby shop

(David Paul Morris / BLOOMBERG)

Catlin O’Neill, chief of staff in Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi’s office, joins the social media giant

Article

Leading senator to let sanctions bill lapse to reward Myanmar government for reforms

WASHINGTON — Senate GOP leader Mitch McConnell, easing up on his long-held tough stance on Myanmar, said Tuesday he planned to allow key sanctions legislation against the Southeast Asian nation to lapse because of the country’s progress toward democracy.

Pelosi: If Boehner were a woman he'd be called 'the weakest speaker in history'

The Republican benefits from a sexist double standard, she suggested.

Did Nancy Pelosi cost Elizabeth Colbert Busch a victory?

In which The Fix and the Post's Paul Kane debate Nancy Pelosi via e-mail.

Article

House leader Nancy Pelosi to be feted at suburban NY GLBT anniversary gala

FARMINGDALE, N.Y. — House Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi is set to be honored by a suburban New York organization that advocates for gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender youth.

How much do Bill Clinton and labor matter? (And 3 other questions in the L.A. mayor's race)

Voters in the City of Angels pick their next mayor Tuesday in an election with connections to Bill Clinton, President Obama, and organized labor.

Video

Mark Sanford debates cardboard cutout of Nancy Pelosi

Former Gov. Mark Sanford, R-S.C., whose bid for a vacant South Carolina House seat has faced a turbulent ride, on Wednesday "debated" a cardboard cutout of House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi.

 
 

At a Glance

  • Career History: Speaker of the U.S. House (January 2007-2011); U.S. Representative (since 1987); Northern California Democratic Party chairman (1977 to 1981); public relations executive, Ogilve&Mather (1986 to 1987)
  • Birthday: March 26, 1940
  • Hometown: Baltimore, Md.
  • Alma Mater: Trinity College, B.A., 1962.
  • Spouse: Paul Pelosi
  • Religion: Catholic
  • DC Office: 235 Cannon House Office Building, Washington, D.C., 202-225-4965
  • District Office: San Francisco, 415-556-4862
 

Path To Power

The sixth child and only daughter of Thomas D'Alesandro Jr. and Annunciata, Pelosi was raised in the Little Italy section of Baltimore. She was introduced to the political world as a child because her father served as a Maryland House Member from 1939 to 1947 and then Baltimore mayor for 12 years. Her brother, Thomas D'Alesandro III, was mayor of Baltimore from 1967 to 1971.

As part of a heavily Catholic family, Pelosi's mother wanted her to become a nun. But instead, Pelosi attended Trinity College where she met her husband, Paul Pelosi, now a wealthy real-estate developer. Roll Call estimated the Pelosis' net worth as $18.7 million, making her the 17th richest Member of Congress.

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The Issues

Pelosi originally focused on local issues after being elected to the House in 1987, such as preserving San Francisco's historic Presidio. She also vigorously fought giving China most-favored-nation status and China's 2001 entrance to the World Trade Organization. She encouraged President Bush to boycott the opening ceremony of the 2008 Beijing summer Olympics.

Pelosi has been a consistent liberal in terms of her personal voting record. But she has played a considerably more pragmatic role as Democratic leader and speaker. The election of more conservative Democrats to the House has also forced Pelosi's hand, causing her to stake out more moderate stances than some liberals would like.

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The Network

Pelosi draws on a wide range of family, lawmakers and San Francisco businessmen and pols for advice. "She doesn't have a close circle, she has an ever-widening circle," said a key local ally, ex-Rep. John Burton (D-Calif.), Sala Burton's brother-in-law. "Her friends go from the cream of the crop down to the average working stiffs. She covers the whole gamut."

Her staunchest ally in Congress is probably Rep. George Miller (D-Calif.), who advises her on politics and policy. John Lawrence, Miller's former chief of staff, is now Pelosi's top aide. Rep. Anna Eshoo (D-Calif.) and Zoe Lofgren (D-Calif.) are close friends, as is Rep. John Murtha (D-Pa.), who ran her leadership campaigns for minority whip in 2001 and for minority leader in 2002. Furthermore, Pelosi floated the name of Texas Rep. Chet Edwards, a moderate Democrat representing George Bush's hometown of Crawford, as a good vice presidential pick based on his military credentials. Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.) is probably Pelosi's closest Senate ally.

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Additional Resources

  1. Fox News, 'Bush Says Colombia Trade Deal Dead,' April 14, 2008
  2. O'Connor, Patrick and Lerer, Lisa, Politico, "House Passes Climate Change Bill," June 28, 2009
  3. Hulse, Carl, The New York Times, 'House Approves Veterans Education Aid in a Deal on War Spending,' June 20, 2008
  4. ABC News.com, "Exclusive: Pelosi Defends Health Care Fight Tactics," March 22, 2010
  5. Weisman, Jonathan, The Washington Post, 'Edging Away from Inner Circle, Pelosi Asserts Authority,' July 9, 2007
  6. Espo, David, The Associated Press, 'Pelosi Says She Would Drain GOP Swamp,' Oct. 6, 2006
  7. Roll Call's 50 Richest, Sept. 22, 2008
  8. Corn, David, The Nation, 'Murtha Loses - And So Does Pelosi,' Nov. 16, 2006
  9. Sargent, Greg, The Plum Line, Pelosi's letter to House Dems announcing Minority Leader candidacy, Nov. 5, 2010
  10. Roll Call vote, Nov. 7, 2009
  11. Roll Call vote, Nov. 7, 2009
  12. Biographical and career data based on Almanac of American Politics, 2008 edition, and Pelosi's official Web site
  13. Weisman, Jonathan and Murray, Shalaigh, The Washington Post, 'Democrats Take Control on the Hill,' Jan. 5, 2007
  14. Washington Post Votes Database,
  15. Coile, Zachary, The San Francisco Chronicle, 'Pelosi Seeks Input from Diverse Array of Confidants,' Dec. 19, 2006
  16. Kane, Paul and Sonmez, Felicia, The Washington Post, Pelosi chosen by Democrats as House minority leader, Nov. 17, 2010
  17. Thrush, Glenn, Politico.com, "Nancy Pelosi draws fire over CIA claim," May 14, 2009
  18. Wildermuth, John, The San Francisco Chronicle, 'Anti-War Activist Cindy Sheehan on the Ballot,' Aug. 9, 2008
  19. Greenwald, Glenn, Salon.com, June 20, 2008
  20. Murray, Shailagh and Lori Montgomery, The Washington Post, "House Passes Health-Care Reform Bill without Republican Votes," March 22, 2010
  21. Nancy Pelosi's Web site,
  22. ABC News.com, "Exclusive: Pelosi Defends Health Care Fight Tactics," March 22, 2010
  23. Herszenhorn, David, The New York Times, 'Democrats Say They Won't Back Down on the War,' Nov. 19, 2007
  24. O'Keefe, Ed, 'Pelosi: President Should Consider Boycotting Olympics Opening ,' ABC News, March 31, 2008