Nancy Pelosi has again been elected as the House Speaker – the third most powerful role in Washington.
The 78-yar-old California Democrat reclaimed the gavel after the most diverse class of lawmakers were sworn in and as Democrats took control of the House after mid-term elections gains.
Her victory came as the government remained partly shut down in a row over funds for the president’s border wall.
Nancy Pelosi has said she wants to end the shutdown but will not support the wall.
She said: “I’m particularly proud to be a woman speaker of the house of this Congress, which marks the 100th year of women having the right to vote.
“And, that we all have the ability and the privilege to serve with over 100 women members of Congress – the largest number in history. “
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Nancy Pelosi seized the gavel as the House welcomed more women than ever before in the 116th Congress.
As of January 3, 102 women serve in the House, an all-time high, including 36 newly elected members and a record 43 women of color.
While Republican women marked some firsts this past election season – like Marsha Blackburn becoming the first female Tennessee Senator – the vast majority of these new lawmakers are Democrats.
Among them are the first Muslim congresswomen – Michigan’s Rashida Tlaib and Minnesota’s Ilhan Omar – and the first Native American women to serve – New Mexico’s Debra Haaland and Kansas’ Sharice Davids.
