DeLauro Statement on Speaker Pelosi’s Historic Leadership
Chair of the House Appropriations Committee Rosa DeLauro (CT-03) today released a statement in response to Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s announcement that she would be stepping down from House Democratic leadership.
“Speaker Nancy Pelosi is an undeniable force, and to me, a dear friend, confidante, and ally. First, I have to say thank you, on behalf of myself, my constituents, and the whole of the nation to my friend Speaker Nancy Pelosi. For over two decades, she has led House Democrats with unmatched tenacity, judgment, and success. She made history as the first woman to serve as Speaker, but she will go down in history as the most effective Speaker to ever serve our nation – man or woman.
“When I first joined the Appropriations Committee, Chairwoman Nita Lowey, Speaker Nancy Pelosi, and I were referred to as the ‘DeLoSi’s’—a band of women who fought for women’s health at a time when women’s issues were on the fringe of our political discourse. She has remained a close friend and ally since that time, and I have been honored to work with her as we fought together to deliver a brighter future for women, children, and families.
“This has been the core drive for Speaker Pelosi’s work in Congress. Chief among her accomplishments is her work with President Obama to expand affordable healthcare to millions under the Affordable Care Act, which has led to better health outcomes for Americans and drastically lowered our uninsured rate.
“Speaker Pelosi stood strong in the fight to protect American’s civil rights. Since the start of her congressional career, she has been a fierce advocate for LGBTQ+ Americans, fighting for research, care, treatment, prevention and to secure for a cure for HIV/AIDS since the start of that epidemic, and working to repeal Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell. She led House passage of the Respect for Marriage Act, legislation that would protect same-sex marriage that is expected to become law before the end of the year. She has also fought for the equal treatment of women – working with me to pass the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act which helped push forward the work to provide equal pay for equal work. She led passage of the Women’s Health Protection Act several times in the House, which would enshrine Roe v. Wade into law and protect the right to choose.
“She has supported House Democrats’ work to redirect how the government invests, working with me and my Democratic colleagues on the House Appropriations Committee to deliver investments that help Americans deal with the rising cost of living, afford their homes, and pay for essentials like prescription drugs, healthcare, food, and childcare.
“Speaker Pelosi was instrumental in our response to the COVID-19 pandemic, working to deliver billions in pandemic aid that produced an effective vaccine against COVID-19 and saved our economy and innumerable small businesses. She was also instrumental in working with me to enact an expanded Child Tax Credit under the American Rescue Plan, which nearly cut child poverty in half in just a year.
“To lower costs for working people and combat the climate crisis, she led us in passage of the historic Inflation Reduction Act. This legislation gave the government the power to negotiate the price of prescription drugs for the first time, which will ensure our seniors can afford the lifesaving drugs they need. She also helped enact legislation that would rebuild America’s ailing roads, bridges, ports, and waterways by spearheading House passage of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which will strengthen our supply chains, make us more resilient to disasters, and bring our transportation into the 21st century.
“While Speaker Pelosi leaves the leadership, she will remain in Congress to serve the people of California’s 12th congressional district, and I look forward to our continued work together to deliver for America’s children, seniors, and families. Congratulations on an incredible run as our leader, Nancy. You leave big pumps to fill!”
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