Pelosi to exit as top House Democrat, ending historic era

Nancy Pelosi announced she will step down as House Democratic leader, ending her history-making tenure as the first woman to serve as speaker and opening the way for a generational change in her party’s congressional leadership.

“I will not seek reelection to Democratic leadership in the next Congress,” Pelosi said Thursday on the House floor. “The hour’s come for a new generation to lead the Democratic caucus that I so deeply respect.”