WASHINGTON, DC – Today, U.S. Senator Jack Reed (D-RI) issued the following statement on the decision of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA), the 52nd Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives, and the first woman ever elected to serve as Speaker of the House, to continue to serve the people of the 12th District but no longer serve in House leadership:

“I congratulate Speaker Pelosi on her remarkable, historic, trailblazing career.  She is a great American patriot who will go down in history as one of the most effective and consequential lawmakers of this or any other era. 

“While there will be many more women who lead the U.S. House of Representatives in the future, Nancy Pelosi will always be the first Madame Speaker.  She broke that barrier and leaves a legacy of service, principled leadership, and immense contribution to the nation.

“On so many issues – climate change, our Intelligence Community, health care, education, Wall Street reform, equal pay, the American Rescue Plan and the Inflation Reduction Act -- Speaker Pelosi was a driving force that not only compelled progress, but brought it to the floor for a vote, and built the coalitions to get it across the finish line. 

“We wish her and her husband Paul -- who continues to recover from that brutal, cowardly attack on their home -- and the entire Pelosi family all the best. 

“Thank you, Madame Speaker, for a lifetime of faithful service and for making America a better place for all.”