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Nancy Pelosi

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Nancy Pelosi
60th Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives
Assumed office
January 4, 2007
Preceded byDennis Hastert
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from California's 8th district
In office
1987 - present
Preceded bySala Burton
Personal details
Political partyDemocratic
SpousePaul Pelosi

Nancy Patricia D'Alesandro Pelosi (born March 26, 1940) is the 60th and current Speaker of the United States House of Representatives. In the 2006 midterm elections, the Democratic Party was victorious in winning control of the United States House of Representatives. With the victory, Pelosi was nominated to be the Speaker of the House and was elected to the position and took office on January 4, 2007. Prior to the position, she was the House Minority Leader of the 107th, 108th, and 109th Congresses of the United States. Since 1987, she has been the representative from the 8th district of California, which falls entirely within and includes most of the city and county of San Francisco (except for a tiny portion within the neighboring 12th District). Her district was numbered as the 5th District until 1993.

With her election as Speaker, Pelosi is the highest-ranking woman in the history of the American Federal government. Pelosi is the first woman to lead a major political party in either house of Congress. She is also the first Californian or Italian American to hold the post, and will be the second Speaker from west of the Rockies (behind fellow Democrat Tom Foley of Washington). As Speaker, she ranks second in the presidential line of succession, behind Dick Cheney, the current Vice President.

Early life and career

Pelosi was born Nancy D'Alesandro to Italian American parents in Baltimore, Maryland.[1] The youngest of six children, she was involved with politics from an early age. Her father, Thomas D'Alesandro, Jr., was a U.S. Congressman from Maryland and a Mayor of Baltimore. Her brother, Thomas L. J. D'Alesandro III, also served as Mayor of Baltimore, from 1967 to 1971.

Pelosi graduated from Baltimore's Institute of Notre Dame high school and from Trinity College (now Trinity Washington University) in Washington, D.C. in 1962, where she met Paul Pelosi. When the couple married, they moved to his hometown of San Francisco, where his brother Ron Pelosi was a member of the city's board of supervisors[2] (San Francisco city and county council).

After her youngest child became a high school senior, Pelosi worked her way up in Democratic politics to become party chairwoman for Northern California, and joined forces with one of the leaders of the California Democratic Party, 5th District Congressman Phillip Burton.

Pelosi is an honorary board member of the National Organization of Italian American Women.

Family

Pelosi has five children: Nancy Corinne, Christine, Jacqueline, Paul and Alexandra. Alexandra, a journalist, covered the Republican presidential campaigns in 2000 and made a movie about the experience, Journeys with George. She also covered the campaigns in 2004 and wrote a book on it.

The Pelosi family has a net worth of over $25 million, mainly from Paul Pelosi's investments. Besides a large portfolio of jointly owned San Francisco Bay Area real estate, he also has millions of dollars worth of shares in publicly traded companies such as Microsoft, Amazon.com and AT&T.[3] In 2003, the Pelosi family sold their eight-acre Rutherford vineyard. Pelosi continues to top the list of the richest members of Congress.[3]

Congressional career

Pelosi and House Minority Whip Steny Hoyer meeting with George W. Bush on November 9, 2006.

Phillip Burton died in 1984 and was succeeded by his wife, Sala. In late 1986, Sala became ill with cancer. She decided not to run for reelection in 1988, and suggested that Pelosi run in her place. Burton died on February 1, 1987, just a month after being sworn in for a second full term. Pelosi won a special election to succeed her, narrowly defeating left-wing San Francisco Supervisor Harry Britt, and took office on June 2, 1987. She was subsequently elected to a full term in 1988.

Pelosi represents one of the safest Democratic districts in the country. Democrats have held the seat since 1949, and Republicans, who currently make up only 13 percent of registered voters in the district, have not made a serious bid for the seat since the early 1960s. Pelosi has kept this tradition going. Since her initial victory in 1987, she has received at least 75% of the vote and has declined to participate in candidates' debates.[4] Pelosi's politics are more conservative than many San Francisco voters, which has led to some conflicts with her constituents.[5][6]

In the House, she served on the Appropriations and Intelligence Committees, and spent much time raising funds for other members. She was the ranking Democrat on the Intelligence Committee for two years.

Democratic Party leadership

In 2001 Pelosi was elected the House Minority Whip, second-in-command to Minority Leader Dick Gephardt of Missouri. She was the first woman in U.S. history to reach that position. Since then, she has campaigned for candidates in 30 states and in 90 Congressional districts.

In 2002, after Gephardt resigned as minority leader to seek the Democratic nomination in the 2004 presidential election, Pelosi was elected to replace him, becoming the first woman to lead a major party in the House.

Democratic nomination and election to Speaker of the House

On November 16, 2006, Pelosi was unanimously chosen as the Democratic candidate for Speaker, effectively making her Speaker-elect. Pelosi supported her longtime friend, John Murtha of Pennsylvania for the position of House Majority Leader, the second-ranking post in the House Democratic caucus, over House Minority Whip Steny Hoyer of Maryland, who had been her second-in-command since 2003. Pelosi and Hoyer had a somewhat frosty relationship dating back to 2001, when they ran against each other for minority whip. However, Hoyer was elected as House Majority Leader over Murtha by a margin of 149-86 within the caucus.[7]Pelosi won the vote for speaker of the house 233-202[8]. With her victory, she became the first female Speaker of the House in American history[9].

Political platform and voting record, Pre-Speakership

Abortion

Pelosi with Lance Armstrong.

Pelosi voted for the Unborn Victims of Violence Act in 2001, legislation that made it a federal crime to commit violence against a pregnant woman that results in the death of her unborn child. In 2004, Pelosi voted against the measure when it was reintroduced with a new definition of a violent attack on a pregnant woman as two distinct crimes: one against the woman herself, and the other against her unborn child.

Pelosi has voted "yes" for both federal funding of abortion facilities and for financial aid to such organizations. Pelosi has a long record of voting for abortion rights. Since 1995, Pelosi has voted against challenges to the Supreme Court’s decision regarding the landmark abortion case of Roe vs. Wade.

Agriculture

Pelosi has a reputation of being generally supportive of the agriculture sector in her district.[10] However, agriculture as an industry does not have a big impact in her mostly urban district, so Pelosi's votes regarding subsidies for the industry have varied. Pelosi was criticized by the agriculture industry when she voted against the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002.

Budget and taxes

Pelosi supports federal funding of government programs with tax increases.[11] She has supported many bills which would increase assistance to the poor and disadvantaged while increasing taxes on the middle and upper classes.

Pelosi has also voted against repealing the Estate Tax. She has been an advocate for a balanced budget, though she voted against the 1995 Balanced Budget Proposed Constitutional Amendment, which was passed by the House almost strictly along party lines, but was twice rejected by the Senate.[12]

Civil liberties

Pelosi has voted for protection of civil liberties and First Amendment rights.[13] She voted against laws banning flag-burning. She has voted for and been a strong supporter of the separation of church and state. She has also been an opponent of the Federal Marriage Amendment.

Education

Pelosi supported the No Child Left Behind Act in May of 2001, which instituted testing to track students' progress and authorized an increase in overall education spending.[14]

Environment and energy

Pelosi has supported the development of new technologies to reduce U.S. dependence upon foreign oil and ameliorate the adverse environmental effects of burning fossil fuels.[15] She has widely supported conservation programs and energy research appropriations. She has also voted against ANWR Drilling.[16]

Foreign policy

Africa

Pelosi sponsored the Hunger to Harvest bill, which urges the President to:

  • set forth five-year and ten-year strategies to achieve a reversal of current levels of hunger and poverty in sub-Saharan Africa, including a commitment to contribute an appropriate U.S. share of increased bilateral and multilateral poverty-focused resources for sub-Saharan Africa, with an emphasis on health (including HIV-AIDS prevention and treatment), education, agriculture, private sector and free market development, democratic institutions and the rule of law, micro-finance development, and debt relief; and
  • work with the heads of other donor countries and sub-Saharan African countries and with private and voluntary organizations and other civic organizations to implement such strategies; and calls for
  • Congress to undertake a multi-year commitment to provide the resources to implement those strategies; and
  • the Administrator of the United States Agency for International Development to report on such implementation.

China

After the Tiananmen protests of 1989, Pelosi became a vocal critic of the government of the People's Republic of China, sponsoring the Chinese Student Protection Act of 1992. Pelosi voted against giving permanent Normal Trade Relations with China.

Nancy Pelosi during the 2006 Chinese new year celebrations in San Francisco

Cuba

Pelosi voted in favor of keeping the travel restrictions on American citizens to Cuba, until the president has certified that Cuba has released all political prisoners, and extradited all individuals sought by the US on charges of air piracy, drug trafficking and murder.[17]

Israel and the Middle East conflict

Pelosi reaffirms that "America and Israel share an unbreakable bond: in peace and war; and in prosperity and in hardship." Pelosi emphasized that "a strong relationship between the United States and Israel has long been supported by both Democrats and Republicans. America's commitment to the safety and security of the State of Israel is unwavering, regardless of which party is in power. However, the war in Iraq has made both America and Israel less safe." Pelosi's voting record shows she has consistently supported Israel. Prior to 2006 elections in the Palestinian Authority, she voted in favor of a Congress initiative to disapprove of Hamas and other organizations', defined as terrorist by the legislation, participation in the elections. She agrees with the current U.S. stance in support of a land-for-peace arrangement. She has applauded Israeli "hopeful signs" of offering land, while criticizing Palestinian "threats" of not demonstrating peace in turn. She states, "If the Palestinians agree to coordinate with Israel on the evacuation, establish the rule of law, and demonstrate a capacity to govern, the world may be convinced that finally there is a real partner for peace."

Pelosi supports the Syria Accountability Act and Iran Freedom and Support Act. In a speech given at the AIPAC 2005 annual conference, Pelosi said that "for too long, leaders from both parties haven't done enough" to put pressure on Russia and China who are providing Iran with technological information on nuclear issues and missiles. "If evidence of participation by other nations in Iran's nuclear program is discovered, I will insist that the Administration use, rather than ignore, the evidence in determining how the US deals with that nation or nations on other issues."

During the 2006 Israel-Lebanon conflict, Pelosi voted in favor of Resolution 921 on the count that "the seizure of Israeli soldiers by Hezbollah terrorists was an unprovoked attack and Israel has the right, and indeed the obligation, to respond." She argues organizations and political bodies in the Mideast like Hamas and Hezbollah "have a greater interest in maintaining a state of hostility with Israel than in improving the lives of the people they claim to represent." Pelosi asserts that civilians on both sides of the border "have been put at risk by the aggression of Hamas and Hezbollah" in part for their use of "civilians as shields by concealing weapons in civilian areas."[18]

North Korea

Pelosi strongly condemns North Korea's missile launches. "North Korea is moving outside the circle of acceptable behavior and is threatening the region, the United States, and the world," she says. "We must use every possible tool to stop North Korea’s unacceptable, provocative actions including six party, multilateral, and bilateral diplomatic negotiations."[19]

Gun control

Pelosi has voted to limit the ownership of firearms and concealed weapons.[20] She voted against the 24 Hour Background Check Amendment bill.[21] She later voted for an amendment to this bill that would extend the waiting period to 72 hours.[22] She also voted against the Gun Ban Repeal Act of 1995.[23] She has also voted against the "Disaster Recovery Personal Protection Act" (HR 5013), which made it illegal for federal, state, and local authorities who are funded by federal monies to confiscate legally owned weapons in national emergencies.

Health care

Pelosi has voted to increase Medicare and Medicaid benefits.[24]

Immigration

Pelosi has been a supporter of immigrant rights.[25] She voted against the Secure Fence Act of 2006.

Lobbyist guidelines and ethics issues

Pelosi introduced the Honest Leadership and Open Government Act to Congress.

Minimum wage

Pelosi has voted for increasing the federal minimum wage.[26]

The War on Terrorism

In 1998 Pelosi stated that Saddam Hussein "has been engaged in the development of weapons of mass destruction technology."[27]

After 2001, Pelosi has generally supported spending for national defense in areas of the War on Terrorism.[28]

Pelosi voted for the USA Patriot Act, but has since opposed the extension of provisions that would curtail individual liberties.[29]

In 2002, Pelosi opposed the Iraq Resolution authorizing President Bush to use military force against Iraq,[30] while stating that Iraq, like "other countries of concern" had WMD.[31] She has begun to strongly criticize the war strategy, and has introduced an amendment to the Fiscal Year 2006 Defense Appropriations bill calling on President Bush to specify a strategy for success in Iraq, as well as a timetable for the safe withdrawal of American troops.[citation needed]

Military draft

In regards to Representative Charles Rangel's plan to introduce legislation that would reinstate the draft, Pelosi stated that she did not support such legislation.[32]

Speaker of the House

Nancy Pelosi defeated Rep. John Boehner with 233 votes compared to his 202 votes in the election for Speaker of the House. She is the first woman Speaker.

The "Hundred Hours"

Main article: 100-Hour Plan

Prior to her election as Speaker, Pelosi announced a plan for action: She and the newly-empowered Democratic caucus would push through most of its program during the first hundred hours of the 110th Congress' term. Apparently, this refers to business hours and not actual time, and begins on the Tuesday after the swearing-in ceremony on January 4th.

Electoral History

  • 2006 Race for U.S. House of Representatives - California 8th District
    • Nancy Pelosi (D) (inc.), 80%
    • Mike DeNunzio (R), 10%
    • Krissy Keefer (G), 8%
    • Philip Z. Berg (L), 1.5%
  • 2004 Race for U.S. House of Representatives - California 8th District
    • Nancy Pelosi (D) (inc.), 83%
    • Jennifer Depalma (R), 12%
    • Leilani Dowell (PF), 3.5%
    • Terry Baum (G) (write-in) 2%
  • 2002 Race for U.S. House of Representatives - California 8th District
    • Nancy Pelosi (D) (inc.), 80%
    • G. Michael Geman (R), 13%
    • Jay Pond (G), 6%
    • Ira Spivack (L), 2%
  • 2000 Race for U.S. House of Representatives - California 8th District
    • Nancy Pelosi (D) (inc.), 85%
    • Adam Sparks (R), 12%
    • Erik Bauman (L), 3%
    • David Smithstein (NL), 1.2%
  • 1998 Race for U.S. House of Representatives - California 8th District
    • Nancy Pelosi (D) (inc.), 86%
    • David Martz (R), 12%
    • David Smithstein (NL), 2%
  • 1996 Race for U.S. House of Representatives - California 8th District
  • 1994 Race for U.S. House of Representatives - California 8th District
    • Nancy Pelosi (D) (inc.), 82%
    • Elsa C. Cheung (R), 18%
  • 1992 Race for U.S. House of Representatives - California 8th District
    • Nancy Pelosi (D) (inc.), 82%
    • Marc Wolin (R), 11%
    • James R. Elwood (L), 3%
    • Cesar G. Cadabes, (PF), 3%
  • 1990 Race for U.S. House of Representatives - California 5th District
    • Nancy Pelosi (D) (inc.), 77%
    • Alan Nichols (R), 23%
  • 1988 Race for U.S. House of Representatives - California 5th District
    • Nancy Pelosi (D), 76%
    • Bruce Michael O'Neill (R), 19%
    • Sam Grove (L), 2%
    • Theodore "Ted" Zuur (PF), 2%
Wikiquote has quotations related to Nancy Pelosi.

See also

References

  1. ^ "The Italian American Congressional Delegation". Order Sons of Italy in America. 2006. Retrieved 2006-11-12.
  2. ^ "The First APA Supervisor", Asianweek.com, URL retrieved 10 December 2006
  3. ^ a b Zachary Coile: “[[1] Bay lawmakers among wealthiest / Feinstein and Pelosi continue to top the list of the richest members of Congress],” San Francisco Chronicle, June 26, 2004, p. B-3, retrieved October 29, 2006.
  4. ^ Edward Epstein: “CAMPAIGN 2006: Eighth Congressional District / 3 challengers fight for Pelosi seat,” San Francisco Chronicle, October 20, 2006, p. B-1, retrieved October 29, 2006.
  5. ^ Erin McCormick: “SAN FRANCISCO / Anti-war activists take Pelosi to task / Minority leader negotiates with lawmakers to her right,” San Francisco Chronicle, January 15, 2006, p. B-1, retrieved December 29, 2006.
  6. ^ Bill Steigerwald: “FrontPage magazine.com: Meet Speaker Pelosi's Constituents,” FrontPage Magazine, November 30, 2006, retrieved December 29, 2006.
  7. ^ "Democrats defy Pelosi, elect Hoyer House leader". Reuters. November 16, 2006. Retrieved 2006-11-16. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  8. ^ Deirdre Walsh (January 4, 2007). "Pelosi become first woman House speaker". CNN.com. Retrieved 2007-01-04. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  9. ^ Deirdre Walsh (January 4, 2007). "Pelosi become first woman House speaker". CNN.com. Retrieved 2007-01-04. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  10. ^ "Project Vote Smart Research". Project Vote Smart. 2006. Retrieved 2006-11-12.
  11. ^ "Vote Smart Research". Project Vote Smart. 2006. Retrieved 2006-11-12.
  12. ^ "Balanced Budget Proposed Constitutional Amendment". Key Vote. Project Vote Smart. 2006. Retrieved 2006-11-12.
  13. ^ "Data from Vote Smart Research". Project Vote Smart. 2006. Retrieved 2006-11-12.
  14. ^ "Education". Key Vote. Project Vote Smart. 2006. Retrieved 2006-11-12.
  15. ^ "Energy Issues". Key Vote. Project Vote Smart. 2006. Retrieved 2006-11-12.
  16. ^ "Arctic National Wildlife Refuge Drilling Amendment". Key Vote. Project Vote Smart. 2006. Retrieved 2006-11-12.
  17. ^ Nancy Pelosi on Foreign Policy
  18. ^ Pelosi Floor Statement on House Resolution Reaffirming Support for Israel
  19. ^ [2]
  20. ^ "Gun Issues". Key Vote. Project Vote Smart. 2006. Retrieved 2006-11-12.
  21. ^ "24 Hour Background Check Amendment". Key Vote. Project Vote Smart. 2006. Retrieved 2006-11-12.
  22. ^ "72 Hour Background Check Amendment". Key Vote. Project Vote Smart. 2006. Retrieved 2006-11-12.
  23. ^ "Gun Ban Repeal Act of 1995". Key Vote. Project Vote Smart. 2006. Retrieved 2006-11-12.
  24. ^ "Health Issues". Key Vote. Project Vote Smart. 2006. Retrieved 2006-11-12.
  25. ^ "Immigration Issues". Key Vote. Project Vote Smart. 2006. Retrieved 2006-11-12.
  26. ^ "Labor Issues". Key Vote. Project Vote Smart. 2006. Retrieved 2006-11-12.
  27. ^ Pelosi, Nancy (December 16, 1998). "Statement on U.S. Led Military Strike Against Iraq". Press Release by Congresswoman Pelosi. House of Representatives. Retrieved 2006-11-12.
  28. ^ "Defense Issues Voting Data from Vote Smart Research". Project Vote Smart. 2006. Retrieved 2006-11-12.
  29. ^ Pelosi, Nancy (2005-12-04). "Pelosi: Reauthorization of Patriot Act a Massive Invasion of Privacy". Press Release by Congresswoman Pelosi. House of Representatives. Retrieved 2006-12-04.
  30. ^ "Final vote results for roll call 455". Office of the Clerk. oct 10 2002. Retrieved 2006-11-12. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  31. ^ Pelosi, Nancy (October 10, 2002). "Pelosi: Unilateral Use of Force Will Be Harmful to the War on Terrorism". Press Release by Congresswoman Pelosi. House of Representatives. Retrieved 2006-11-12.
  32. ^ Pelosi says no to draft legislation, CNN Politics, November 21, 2006

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Nancy Pelosi.
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Preceded by United States Representative for the 5th Congressional District of California
1987 – 1993 		Succeeded by
Preceded by United States Representative for the 8th Congressional District of California
1993 – Present 		Succeeded by
Incumbent
Preceded by House Democratic Whip
House Minority Whip
2002 – 2003 		Succeeded by
Preceded by House Democratic Leader
2003–2007 		Succeeded by
Preceded by House Minority Leader
2003–2007 		Succeeded by
Preceded by United States Presidential Line of Succession
2nd in line 		Succeeded by
Preceded by United States order of precedence
as of 2007 		Succeeded by

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