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Revision as of 01:47, 13 February 2007 by Nuggetboy (talk | contribs) (Revert to revision 107715606 dated 2007-02-13 01:45:02 by A D 13 using popups)(diff) ← Previous revision | Latest revision (diff) | Newer revision → (diff)| Nancy Patricia D'Alesandro Pelosi | |
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| 60th Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives | |
| Incumbent | |
| Assumed office January 4, 2007 | |
| Preceded by | Dennis Hastert |
| Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from California's 8th district | |
| Incumbent | |
| Assumed office June 2, 1987 | |
| Preceded by | Ron Dellums |
| Personal details | |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse | Paul Pelosi |
Nancy Patricia D'Alesandro Pelosi (born March 26, 1940 in Baltimore, Maryland) is the 60th and current Speaker of the United States House of Representatives. Following the Democratic Party's majority win in the 2006 Congressional elections, Pelosi became the first woman, first Californian, and first Italian American in U.S. history to hold the office. Pelosi ranks second in the line of presidential succession, following Vice President Dick Cheney. No woman has been closer to the U.S. presidency.
Pelosi 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 (numbered as 5th until 1993), which falls entirely within and includes most of the city and county of San Francisco.
This woman is pure evil.I has a shuvel.
Congressional career
Representative Phillip Burton died in 1983 and was succeeded by his wife, Sala. In late 1986, Sala became ill with cancer and decided not to run for reelection in 1988, and suggested that Pelosi run for the seat. Sala 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 San Francisco Supervisor Harry Britt, and took office on June 2, 1987. She was elected to a full term in 1988 and re-elected ten times, receiving 76–86% of the vote each time.
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. Nevertheless, Pelosi's politics are more conservative than many San Francisco voters, which has led to some conflicts with her constituents.
In the House, she served on the Appropriations and Intelligence Committees, and 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.
Political action committee fined
In October of 2003, Pelosi's fund-raising committee was fined $21,000 for illegally accepting donations over federal limits. This followed criticism that she had previously used multiple PACs to illegally exceed the limits.
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. Murtha, the "unindicted co-conspirator" in the Abscam bribery scandal, lost despite receiving vigorous support from Pelosi. Pelosi won the vote for Speaker of the House 233-202. With her victory, she became the first female Speaker of the House in American history.
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. In her speech to Congress she stated:
"I accept this gavel in the spirit of partnership, not partisanship, and look forward to working with you on behalf of the American people. In this House, we may belong to different parties, but we serve one country."
During her speech, she discussed the historical importance of being the first female to hold the Speaker's position:
"This is a historic moment - for the Congress, and for the women of this country. It is a moment for which we have waited more than 200 years. Never losing faith, we waited through the many years of struggle to achieve our rights. But women weren't just waiting; women were working. Never losing faith, we worked to redeem the promise of America, that all men and women are created equal. For our daughters and granddaughters, today, we have broken the marble ceiling."
She also spoke on Iraq as the major issue facing the 110th Congress while incorporating some Democratic Party beliefs:
"The election of 2006 was a call to change - not merely to change the control of Congress, but for a new direction for our country. Nowhere were the American people more clear about the need for a new direction than in Iraq. The American people rejected an open-ended obligation to a war without end."
The "Hundred Hours"
Main article: 100-Hour PlanPrior to the U.S. 2006 midterm elections, Pelosi announced a plan for action: If elected, she and the newly-empowered Democratic caucus would push through most of its program during the first hundred hours of the 110th Congress' term. This refers to business hours rather than clock time, and began on the Tuesday (January 9, 2007) after the swearing-in ceremony on January 4th.
The origin for the name "first hundred hours" is a play on words derived from former Democratic President Franklin D. Roosevelt's promise for quick action on the part of government (to combat the Great Depression) during his "first hundred days" in office. Newt Gingrich, the former Republican Speaker, had a similar 100-day agenda to implement the Contract with America.
Opposition to Iraq troop surge of 2007
Main article: Iraq troop surge of 2007On January 5, 2007 reacting to suggestions from President Bush’s confidantes that he would increase troop levels in Iraq (which he later announced in a speech a few days later) Pelosi joined with Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid to condemn the plan. They sent Bush a letter saying, “there is no purely military solution in Iraq. There is only a political solution. Adding more combat troops will only endanger more Americans and stretch our military to the breaking point for no strategic gain. Rather than deploy additional forces to Iraq, we believe the way forward is to begin the phased redeployment of our forces in the next four to six months, while shifting the principal mission of our forces there from combat to training, logistics, force protection and counter-terror.”
Failure to disclose role in family charity
On January 29, 2007, Speaker Pelosi and two other prominent Democrats came under fire for failing to disclose their positions as officers of family charities. This violated a law requiring members of Congress to disclose such positions. Brendan Daly, spokesman for Speaker Pelosi, called the failure to report the position she has held since 1992 "an oversight."
Jet request controversy
In February 2007, it was revealed that House Sergeant at Arms Bill Livingood had requested a jet (if available) from the Pentagon for Speaker Pelosi for non-stop trips between Washington, D.C. and her home in San Francisco, CA. Pelosi and her aides stated that they did not care what type of plane she would be given as long as it could make non-stop flights, citing security and refueling concerns in coast-to-coast travel with the C-20 jet of her predecessor, Illinois Republican Dennis Hastert. Pelosi denied that the request originated with her and called it a "myth" and a "game" talked about by Congressional Republicans. There is no evidence that Pelosi had specifically requested a C-32 transport plane, as some political opponents suggested, and White House Press Secretary Tony Snow characterized the story as "silly" and "unfair to the speaker." Snow said that neither the White House nor Pelosi's office were involved in direct negotiations over her transport and that it was a matter between the Sergeant at Arms and the Pentagon. Bill Livingood regretted that his security concerns and request to the Pentagon had been made into a political issue.
Political platform and voting record
Abortion
Pelosi unequivocally supports abortion rights. She voted against the 2000 Partial Birth Abortion Act, and in 2003 she voted twice against related legislation. She voted in favor of the 1998 Abortion Funding Amendment, which allowed the use of district funds to promote abortion related activities. She has also voted in favor of using federal funds to perform abortions in overseas military facilities, against parental notification when a minor is transported across state lines for an abortion, and in favor of providing funding for organizations working overseas that perform abortions or promote abortion related activities.
Budget and taxes
Pelosi 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 by a 300-132 vote, but in the Senate fell two votes short of the 2/3 supermajority required (with 65 out of 100 Senators voting in favor).
Civil liberties
Pelosi has voted for protection of civil liberties and First Amendment rights. She voted against a Constitutional amendment against flag-burning, and against a Congressional resolution supporting the display of the Ten Commandments in courtrooms.
Education
Pelosi voted for 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.
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. Pelosi has widely supported conservation programs and energy research appropriations. Pelosi has also voted to remove an amendment which would allow for oil and gas exploration in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.
Foreign policy
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.
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 consistent support for Israel. Prior to 2006 elections in the Palestinian Authority, she voted for a Congressional initiative disapproving of participation in the elections by Hamas and other organizations defined as terrorist by the legislation. She agrees with the current U.S. stance in support of land-for-peace. 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 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-Hezbollah War, 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."
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."
Health care
Pelosi has voted to increase Medicare and Medicaid benefits.
Immigration
Pelosi has been a supporter of immigrant rights. 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
As Speaker of the House, she also spearheaded the Fair Minimum Wage Act of 2007 as part of the 100-Hour Plan. The Act raises the minimum wage in the United States and its territories but does not amend the Fair Labor Standards Act concerning American Samoa—its minimum wage would continue to be set by a committee appointed by the U.S. Department of Labor if enacted without changes. One Republican congressman who voted against the bill accused Pelosi of unethically benefiting Del Monte Foods (headquartered in her district) by the exclusion of the territory, where Del Monte's StarKist Tuna brand is a major employer.
Pelosi co-sponsored legislation that omitted American Samoa from a raise in the minimum wage as early as 1999, prior to Del Monte's acquisition of StarKist Tuna in 2002. As of the 2002, 2004, and 2006 election cycles, Del Monte has not contributed to Democratic candidates.
The War on Terrorism
In 1998, Pelosi stated that Saddam Hussein "has been engaged in the development of weapons of mass destruction technology." After 2001, Pelosi has generally supported spending for national defense in areas of the War on Terrorism. Pelosi voted for the USA Patriot Act, but has since opposed the extension of provisions that would further curtail individual liberties.
In 2002, Pelosi opposed the Iraq Resolution authorizing President Bush to use military force against Iraq, while stating that Iraq, like "other countries of concern", had WMD.
Military draft
In regards to Representative Charles Rangel's (D-NY) plan to introduce legislation that would reinstate the draft, Pelosi stated that she did not support such legislation.
Electoral history
- 2006 Race for U.S. House of Representatives - California 8th District
Name Percent 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
Name Percent 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
Name Percent 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
Name Percent 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
Name Percent Nancy Pelosi (D) (inc.) 86% David Martz (R) 12% David Smithstein (NL) 2%
- 1996 Race for U.S. House of Representatives - California 8th District
Name Percent Nancy Pelosi (D) (inc.) 84% Justin Raimondo (R) 12% David Smithstein (NL) 3%
- 1994 Race for U.S. House of Representatives - California 8th District
Name Percent Nancy Pelosi (D) (inc.) 82% Elsa C. Cheung (R) 18%
- 1992 Race for U.S. House of Representatives - California 8th District
- 1990 Race for U.S. House of Representatives - California 5th District
Name Percent Nancy Pelosi (D) (inc.) 77% Alan Nichols (R) 23%
- 1988 Race for U.S. House of Representatives - California 5th District
See also
References
- 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.
- 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.
- Bill Steigerwald: “FrontPage magazine.com: Meet Speaker Pelosi's Constituents,” FrontPage Magazine, November 30, 2006, retrieved December 29, 2006.
- USATODAY.com, Pelosi PAC fined $21,000 by federal elections officials, February 11, 2004.
- ^ "Democrats defy Pelosi, elect Hoyer House leader". Reuters. November 16, 2006. Retrieved 2006-11-16.
{{cite news}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - Deirdre Walsh (January 4, 2007). "Pelosi becomes first woman House speaker". CNN.com. Retrieved 2007-01-04.
{{cite news}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - ^ SFGate.com (2006). Text of Nancy Pelosi's speech. Retrieved January 6, 2007.
- Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) (01/05/2007). "Congressional Leaders Call on President to Reject Flawed Iraq Troop Surge".
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) Retrieved on Jan. 24, 2007 - USATODAY.com, Pelosi, two other Democrats failed to disclose roles in family charities, January 29, 2007.
- ^ Sgt.-at-arms says he requested larger plane for Pelosi. Retrieved on 2007-02-08.
- CNN Transcript, February 8, 2007. Retrieved on 2007-02-08.
- White House defends Pelosi in airplane dispute. Retrieved on 2007-02-08.
- "Representative Pelosi on Partial Birth Abortion." Vote-Smart.org. (Retrieved February 8, 2007.)
- "Representative Pelosi on Abortion Funding Amendment." Vote-Smart.org. (Retrieved February 8, 2007.)
- "Representative Pelosi - Voting Record - Abortion Issues." Vote-Smart.org. (Retrieved February 8, 2007.)
- "Balanced Budget Proposed Constitutional Amendment". Key Vote. Project Vote Smart. 2006. Retrieved 2006-11-12.
- "Data from Vote Smart Research". Project Vote Smart. 2006. Retrieved 2006-11-12.
- http://clerk.house.gov/evs/2005/roll296.xml
- http://www.vote-smart.org/issue_keyvote_detail.php?vote_id=1170&can_id=H0222103
- "Education". Key Vote. Project Vote Smart. 2006. Retrieved 2006-11-12.
- "Energy Issues". Key Vote. Project Vote Smart. 2006. Retrieved 2006-11-12.
- "Arctic National Wildlife Refuge Drilling Amendment". Key Vote. Project Vote Smart. 2006. Retrieved 2006-11-12.
- Nancy Pelosi on Foreign Policy
- ^ "Archive.org version of a Pelosi Press Release". Archive.org. 2005. Retrieved 2007-01-04.
- "Nancy Pelosi: Israel, don't fear Dems in Congress". ynetnews.com. 2006. Retrieved 2007-01-04.
- Pelosi Floor Statement on House Resolution Reaffirming Support for Israel
- "Health Issues". Key Vote. Project Vote Smart. 2006. Retrieved 2006-11-12.
- "Immigration Issues". Key Vote. Project Vote Smart. 2006. Retrieved 2006-11-12.
- http://projects.washingtonpost.com/congress/members/p000197/key-votes/
- Wage Rates in American Samoa. Retrieved on 2007-01-14.
- Shadegg Finds House Wage Hike A Bit Fishy. Retrieved on 2007-01-14.
- Fair Minimum Wage Act of 1999. Retrieved on 2007-02-07.
- . Retrieved on 2007-01-25.
- 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.
- "Defense Issues Voting Data from Vote Smart Research". Project Vote Smart. 2006. Retrieved 2006-11-12.
- 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.
- "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) - 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.
- Pelosi says no to draft legislation, CNN Politics, November 21, 2006
External links
- Speaker of the House official site
- U.S. Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi official site
- United States Congress. "Nancy Pelosi (id: P000197)". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress.
- Federal Election Commission - Nancy Pelosi campaign finance reports and data
- On the Issues - Nancy Pelosi issue positions and quotes
- OpenSecrets.org - Nancy Pelosi campaign contributions
- Project Vote Smart - Nancy Pelosi profile
- SourceWatch Congresspedia - Nancy Pelosi profile
- Washington Post - Congress Votes Database: Nancy Pelosi voting record
Articles
- YouTube - NancyPelosi Channel
- The New York Times - Nancy Pelosi News news stories and commentary
- Trinity Graduates Win Re-election: House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi '62 Poised to Become Speaker, Kansas Governor Kathleen Sebelius '70 Wins Second Term (from Trinity Washington University, November 8, 2006)
- Rolling With Pelosi (from Newsweek, October 23, 2006)
- Pelosi mines 'California gold' for Dems nationwide: Personal skills, wide network of wealthy donors help party's House leader gather millions (from sfgate.com, April 3, 2006)
| Preceded bySala Burton | United States Representative for the 5th Congressional District of California 1987 – 1993 |
Succeeded byRobert T. Matsui |
| Preceded byRon Dellums | United States Representative for the 8th Congressional District of California 1993 – Present |
Succeeded byIncumbent |
| Preceded byDavid Bonior | House Democratic Whip House Minority Whip 2002 – 2003 |
Succeeded bySteny Hoyer |
| Preceded byDick Gephardt | House Democratic Leader 2003–2007 |
Succeeded bySteny Hoyer |
| Preceded byDick Gephardt | House Minority Leader 2003–2007 |
Succeeded byJohn Boehner |
| Preceded byDick Cheney | United States Presidential Line of Succession 2nd in line |
Succeeded byRobert Byrd |
| Preceded byDick Cheney & Lynne Cheney | United States order of precedence as of 2007 |
Succeeded byJohn Roberts |
| Speakers of the U.S. House of Representatives | ||
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| Minority whips of the U.S. House of Representatives | ||
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- Speakers of the United States House of Representatives
- Current members of the United States House of Representatives
- Members of the United States House of Representatives from California
- American anti Iraq War activists
- Alumnae of women's universities and colleges
- Roman Catholic politicians
- Italian-American politicians
- People from Baltimore
- People from San Francisco
- American Roman Catholics
- 1940 births
- Living people