When Democratic Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi assumed the position of leader of the House of representatives of the US Congress on Thursday, it became not only the third most important person in the country’s politics, after the pressure give you and the Vice President, but which will lead the opposition against Donald Trump.
Adored and hated in equal measure, their story is one of extraordinary ability to survive in politics.
In 2007 he made history to become the first woman to hold that position, but it was for a short period of time.
4 things that change in the policy of the United States after the Democrats regain control of the Chamber of representatives 5 things that Trump no longer can do without an agreement with the Democrats after losing the House of representatives this time Republicans It assumes the responsibility of proposing new laws and supervise research conducted about Trump.
It will also be in charge of the strategy of the Democrats, who regained control of the House of representatives after mid-term elections in November 2018.
And it succeeds despite the fact that it considers that it is not a good speaker, is prone to make mistakes, is not very popular and is often the target of attacks from many in the Republican party.
Future of fighting copyright Getty Images Image image caption Nancy Pelosi began his political career in 1976. It is the latest chapter in the remarkable journey of someone who grew up in a family steeped in the politics of the East coast of the USA, achieved recognition among more liberal groups of the State of California, which represents, and a figure has been key in the party Democrat for almost 15 years.
The journalist Elaine Povich, who wrote a biography of Pelosi in 2008, says that “people are wrong to underestimate it”.
“Never bet against her. Consistently works hard, is the most organized and counts the votes very well.”
These skills will be tested in the coming months.
Copyright of Getty Images Image image caption Pelosi represents part of the State of California. “He will have to balance the different priorities of the Democrats while faced with the flames of political Vesuvius which is Donald Trump,” says Anthony Zurcher, BBC journalist specializing in coverage of American politics.
People gave an idea of how to be clashes between the two in December, when they showed their differences with regard to the financing of the wall on the border with Mexico.
“It emerged that duel with the recognition of the Democrats, but for many in the political spectrum of the left, those fireworks should be just the beginning,” indicates Zürcher.
The journalist explains that there are people who demand a forceful actions of Trump supervision, while others want to pass legislation that allows members of the Democratic Party to use those achievements for electoral purposes.
Copyright of Getty Images Image image caption the Congressman worked with former President Bill Clinton. Roots grew up in Baltimore, a city in the State of Maryland, in the East of the USA His father was Mayor of the city. He is the youngest of seven siblings, the only girl.
“Exercise policy in the middle of the century in Baltimore implied to be successful in the political machinery of the old-school Democrat. “Also know who help who harm and keep a record of the favours granted and received”, indicates Zürcher.
“Pelosi was in charge of the management of the political accounts of his family – continues Zürcher – including answer eight telephone lines”.
Study in Washington, close to Baltimore, where he met who would be your spouse, the financier Paul Pelosi.
They moved to Manhattan, in New York, and then to the city of San Francisco, in the North of the State of California.
He had five children–four girls and a boy–in six years.
Copyright of Getty Images Image image caption Pelosi will lead the strategy of the Democrats in the House of representatives. Its inception in 1976, taking advantage of the political connections of his family, helped then-California Governor Jerry Brown, who wanted to launch to the Presidency, to win the primary.
He began to move up in the party and in 1988 she was elected as an MEP.
As it represented a part of the city where a significant community there were gay, it gave priority to the funding of AIDS research. He also fought a long battle to transform a military base in San Francisco in a natural park.
In 2001 she was elected as the head of a parliamentary group in the Chamber of representatives. The following year became leader of the minority in that section of the Congress.
It was one of the voices more criticism of the invasion of Iraq in 2003 and in 2005 helped to deny the request of former President George W. Bush partially privatize Social Security retirement, Government-managed program.
Copyright of Getty Images Image image caption from the office of the leader of the House you can see the monument to Washington. The power of the job description of the post of leader of the House is in the US Constitution. Who occupies it, is the second person who could replace President after the Vice President.
For some, the great office assigned to who occupies the post, from whose balcony is the emblematic monument to Washington, reflects the prestige of that work.
Unlike the Senate, the majority party in the House of representatives has control over the legislative agenda, in addition to establishing the rules of the debate.
“If the leader of the group keeps in line members of his party – which can be a challenge, according to what the Republicans over the past two years–have shown the process of legislating in camera works like a well-oiled machine” , indicates Zürcher.
That’s what happened the last time Pelosi was in charge.
Between 2009 and 2011, approved an economic stimulus package to deal with the crises of 2008 in the order of US$ 840,000 million. Also passed environmental laws, against the gender discrimination in the payment of salaries and financial reforms.
Copyright of the Alamy Image image caption made it his defense during the Presidency of Barack Obama health care reform in “toxic politically”. Combative he also fought for the approval of landmark health program promoted by the Government of Barack Obama, called Affordable Care Act.
“in these negotiations saw Pelosi, the strategist. “He organized meetings throughout the day and night and was juggling phone calls, with leaders of both Chambers, Secretaries and even the President”, wrote Donna Edwards, Member of Parliament by Maryland in the newspaper The Washington Post .
eight months after the final vote, the Democrats lost 63 seats – and their majority – in the House of representatives.
“Partly it was the fury of conservatives regarding the reform of the health system and the role of Pelosi in pushing for it. Became so toxic politically that I could not do campaign for Democratic candidates in public”, said Zurcher.
Copyright of Getty Images Image image caption the legislator had to deal with internal dissent to assume his new post. Opposition internal also has had to deal with internal dissent.
During the mid-term elections, more than 60 Democratic candidates campaigned in opposition to that becoming leader of the House.
Following the success of the party in those elections, 16 MPs requested a change in the leadership of the party. They suggested that it was time to replace Pelosi, of 78 years.
In subsequent weeks, however, the Democrat controlled the rebellion.
And a day after confirmation that it would occupy the position, became their ultimate concession: agree on a limit of eight years in the post.
“In the summer I said that I see as a bridge to the next generation of leaders, I acknowledge my responsibility to lead, develop and help new members to positions of power,” said Pelosi.
Copyright of Getty Images Image image caption Pelosi already has faced Donald Trump. Strengths how did it become a survivor? For many, it is not nice to hear her talking and for others their jokes are not particularly funny.
But Zürcher says it is very good winning votes in the Congress, extremely organized and tireless.
“Approaching 80 years old, but daily stops at 5:30 and works late into the night. Rarely take vacations,”he says.
“Perhaps for those efforts – continues Zürcher – it is such a good fundraising.” “Between 2002 and 2018 (…) won $680 million for the Democratic Party”.
Povich, meanwhile, indicates that “the speech was never strong. Inner workings, coalitions and the Organization are its strength.”
They come days of challenges to Pelosi.
You have to strike the balance between the group that seeks confrontation and moderates.
“You are probably two years of conflict and stalemate between parties. The role that Pelosi, play will be crucial,”concludes Zürcher.
