Pelosi named first female speaker of US House
Afp, Washington
Democrats on Thursday unanimously chose Nancy Pelosi to become the first female speaker of the House of Representatives and second in the presidential line of succession. The California representative, who served as minority leader, will officially become the presiding officer of the lower chamber when the new Congress convenes in January, with Democrats in the majority for the first time in 12 years. Democrats named Pelosi, 66, a dynamic challenger to President George W Bush, unanimously and by acclamation, according to legislative sources. However, Democrats are not as united behind Pelosi's choice for majority leader, the second most powerful position in the House.
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Newly elected Speaker of the House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi (L) from California, is embraced by newly elected Democratic Whip Steny Hoyer from Maryland during a press conference Thursday on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC. PHOTO: AFP |
