House Speaker Nancy Pelosi was forced to address rumors of her pending retirement while on CNN Monday night.
At 81-years-old, Pelosi is the ninth oldest member of the House of Representatives. She has been serving as a congresswoman for more than 34 years.
Pelosi has committed to giving up her role as House speaker in 2022, which has led to rumors that she won’t run again.
In fact, Pelosi hasn’t yet announced a 2022 campaign. CNN’s Jake Tapper wanted to know why — but a tight-lipped Pelosi wouldn’t say whether she would run again.
“Are you going to run for reelection?” Tapper asked during an interview on Monday.
“You think I’m going to make an announcement here, and now?” Pelosi replied.
“Yeah. Why not?” Tapper said. “You’re going to run for reelection, though, yes?”
“Why would I tell you that now?” Pelosi asked.
“It’s not just me. It’s the American people,” the CNN star responded. “The world.”
“I probably would have that conversation with my family first, if you don’t mind,” Pelosi responded.
It’s not the first time in recent weeks Pelosi has faced questions about her retirement plans. After the 2016 election, Pelosi had reportedly planned on leaving Congress but the “physical” shock of former President Donald Trump’s victory over Hillary Clinton made her stay.
She had “intended to step back from elective office once Hillary was in the White House,” USA Today reported in April. “That idea was instantly shelved.”
A report by The Atlantic in August said Pelosi was planning to resign her position as House speaker and step back as a congresswoman. According to their sources, Pelosi plans on stepping down “probably after next year’s midterm elections” — and Rep. Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., would be next to take the reigns as Democratic Party leader in the House.
Earlier this month, Pelosi said that passing Biden’s massive social spending plan would be the “culmination” of her career.
“You said this is the culmination of your time in Congress?” one clever reporter asked at the time. “Are you trying to… culmination means the end of an experience.”
Pelosi dismissed the moment as a slip of the tongue and told the reporter, “Get out of here!”
But just days later, Fox News’ Maria Bartiromo reported that Pelosi had told insiders she would resign if she was able to pass Biden’s multi-trillion “Build Back Better” plan.
“This exclusive: Sources tell Sunday Morning Futures there is speculation swirling in Washington that House Speaker Nancy Pelosi may step down after getting the massive spending package through,” Bartiromo reported Oct. 18.
So, all those Democrat members who had their arms twisted to vote on the multitrillion-dollar package and put their own reelection [sic] in jeopardy may be fuming to learn that the speaker may be planning a cut-and-run.”
It could be that Pelosi’s retirement plan may be one of the worst-kept secrets in Washington, D.C.
Or perhaps just wishful thinking?
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