Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Nancy Pelosi

Discover the career path of Nancy Pelosi, from the first major opportunity to industry-changing achievements.

Nancy Pelosi is an American politician notable for being the 52nd Speaker of the House, serving two terms (2007-2011 and 2019-2023). As a Democrat, she was the first woman to hold the Speakership and the first woman to lead a major party in Congress. Representing California's 11th congressional district since 1987, she led the House Democrats from 2003 to 2023. Her career marks a significant milestone for women in American politics and reflects a long tenure in Congress.

Sections (7)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Challenges & Struggles Controversies & Scandals Legacy & Impact

1955: First Former Speaker to Reclaim the Gavel Since Sam Rayburn in 1955

In 2018, Pelosi became the first former speaker to reclaim the gavel since Sam Rayburn did in 1955.

1974: Trade Act of 1974

In 1974, the Trade Act of 1974, included the Jackson-Vanik Amendment, which required the president to inform Congress if he intended to waive the Act to have a most favored nation trading relationship with a non-market economy.

1976: Elected as Democratic National Committee member

In 1976, Pelosi was elected as a Democratic National Committee member from California.

1977: Elected party chair for Northern California

In 1977, she was elected party chair for Northern California.

1983: Led the California Democratic Party until 1983

Pelosi led the California Democratic Party until 1983.

1984: Served as the San Francisco Democratic National Convention Host Committee chairwoman

In 1984, Pelosi served as the San Francisco Democratic National Convention Host Committee chairwoman.

1985: Served as Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee finance chair from 1985

Pelosi served as Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee finance chair from 1985 to 1986.

1986: Served as Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee finance chair until 1986

Pelosi served as Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee finance chair until 1986.

February 1987: Pelosi wins Democratic primary in special election

In February 1987, Nancy Pelosi won the Democratic primary in the special election to succeed U.S. Representative Sala Burton, defeating San Francisco Supervisor Harry Britt.

1987: First Elected to Congress

In 1987, Nancy Pelosi was first elected to Congress in a special election.

1987: Pelosi voted for the Abandoned Shipwrecks Act of 1987

In 1987, Pelosi voted for the Abandoned Shipwrecks Act of 1987.

1987: Pelosi voted for the Civil Rights Restoration Act of 1987

In 1987, Pelosi voted for the Civil Rights Restoration Act of 1987

March 1988: Pelosi voted for the Civil Rights Restoration Act of 1987

In March 1988, Pelosi voted for the Civil Rights Restoration Act of 1987, and to override President Ronald Reagan's veto.

April 28, 1988: Abandoned Shipwrecks Act of 1987 signed into law

On April 28, 1988, the Abandoned Shipwrecks Act of 1987, which Pelosi voted for, was signed into law by President Ronald Reagan.

1988: Pelosi collects 76 percent of the vote in California's 5th congressional district

In 1988, Nancy Pelosi collected 76 percent of the vote in California's 5th congressional district.

1988: Pelosi won special election to succeed Burton

In 1988, after Sala Burton's death, Pelosi won the special election to succeed her.

1988: Won first reelection campaign in 1988

Pelosi won her first reelection campaign in 1988.

1989: Pelosi's Stance on China after Tiananmen Square Protests

In 1989, following the Tiananmen Square protests, Nancy Pelosi advocated for a tougher stance against China than that of President George H.W. Bush. Supported by Senate Majority Leader George Mitchell, she criticized Bush's China policy, suggesting Congress should oppose presidential waivers under the Jackson-Vanik Amendment to pressure China towards democracy.

December 1990: Ryan White CARE Act Signed Into Law

In December 1990, the Ryan White CARE Act, co-authored by Pelosi, which allocated funding for treatment and services for those impacted by HIV/AIDS, was signed into law by President George H. W. Bush.

1990: Pelosi collects 77 percent of the vote in California's 5th congressional district

In 1990, Nancy Pelosi collected 77 percent of the vote in California's 5th congressional district.

1991: Pelosi opposes U.S. intervention in Gulf War

In 1991, Nancy Pelosi opposed U.S. intervention in the Gulf War.

1991: Pelosi unfurls banner in Tiananmen Square

In 1991, as part of a Congressional delegation, Pelosi unfurled a banner in Tiananmen Square, resulting in a confrontation with Chinese police. She also advocated for the admission of Chinese political prisoners and dissidents into the U.S.

1992: Pelosi runs in California's 8th congressional district

In 1992, after redistricting, Nancy Pelosi ran in California's 8th congressional district, which now covered the San Francisco area.

1994: Brady Handgun Violence Prevention Act Became Law

In 1994, the Brady Handgun Violence Prevention Act, which Pelosi helped shape, became law.

1995: Pelosi voted in favor of Jerusalem Embassy Act

In 1995, Nancy Pelosi voted in favor of the Jerusalem Embassy Act, which urged the federal government to relocate the American embassy in Israel to Jerusalem.

1996: Served as Democratic National Committee member until 1996

Pelosi served as Democratic National Committee member until 1996.

1999: Pelosi urges Clinton to address 1989 protests with Chinese Premier

In 1999, ahead of Chinese Premier Zhu Rongji's visit to the U.S., Pelosi urged President Clinton and Vice President Gore to ask Zhu to acknowledge the 1989 Tiananmen Square protests as a pro-democracy movement.

2000: Prolific Fundraiser

During the 2000 election cycles, Pelosi was a prolific fundraiser, transferring significant funds to committees for other candidates and contributing the most money to other congressional campaigns.

2001: Elected House Minority Whip

In 2001, Pelosi was elected House minority whip.

November 15, 2002: Defeated Ford for House Democratic Leader

On November 15, 2002, Pelosi defeated Harold Ford Jr. to become the House Democratic Caucus's leader.

November 2002: Elected House Minority Leader

In November 2002, Pelosi was elected to replace Gephardt as House minority leader, becoming the first woman to lead a major party in either chamber of Congress.

2002: Prolific Fundraiser

During the 2002 election cycles, Pelosi was a prolific fundraiser, transferring significant funds to committees for other candidates and contributing the most money to other congressional campaigns.

2002: Pelosi opposes Iraq Resolution

In 2002, Nancy Pelosi opposed the Iraq Resolution authorizing President George W. Bush to use military force against Iraq, citing the need to exhaust diplomatic remedies and respect the UN. She also mentioned that CIA Director George Tenet had indicated a low likelihood of Saddam Hussein launching an attack on the U.S. using weapons of mass destruction.

2003: Prolific Fundraiser

From 2003 to 2014, Pelosi raised more than $400 million in campaign funds.

2004: Gephardt Resigned to seek the Democratic nomination in the 2004 presidential election

In November 2002, Gephardt resigned as House minority leader to seek the Democratic nomination in the 2004 presidential election.

2004: Democratic Party lost three seats

In the 2004 House elections, the Democratic Party lost three seats.

November 2005: Endorsed Murtha's proposal

In November 2005, Pelosi held a press conference in which she endorsed Murtha's proposal for troop withdrawal from Iraq.

November 16, 2006: Nominated for Speaker

On November 16, 2006, the Democratic caucus unanimously nominated Pelosi for speaker.

2006: Pelosi on Palestinian Authority elections

Before the 2006 elections in the Palestinian Authority, Nancy Pelosi voted for a Congressional initiative that disapproved of participation in the elections by Hamas and other organizations the legislation defined as terrorist.

2006: Pelosi supports Israel during 2006 Lebanon War

During the 2006 Lebanon War, Nancy Pelosi voted in favor of Resolution 921, stating that Israel had the right and obligation to respond to the seizure of Israeli soldiers by Hezbollah terrorists.

2006: Focused on Retaking the House Majority

Focused on retaking the House majority in 2006, Pelosi worked to criticize the Bush administration more effectively and to contrast the Democratic Party with it.

2006: Democrats win House Majority

In 2006, Pelosi led the Democrats to a majority in the House for the first time in 12 years and was subsequently elected Speaker.

2006: Third-largest Fundraiser

In 2006, Pelosi was the Democratic Party's third-largest fundraiser, behind Bill and Hillary Clinton.

January 12, 2007: Resolution introduced regarding military force against Iran

On January 12, 2007, Congressman Walter B. Jones introduced a resolution requiring presidential consultation with Congress before using military force against Iran, unless in cases of a national emergency or imminent attack.

February 15, 2007: Pelosi comments on Bush's stance on Iran

On February 15, 2007, Nancy Pelosi stated that she believed President Bush supported a diplomatic resolution with Iran.

March 13, 2007: Resolution on Iran removed from military spending bill

On March 13, 2007, Nancy Pelosi removed Congressman Walter B. Jones' resolution regarding military force against Iran from a military spending bill for the war in Iraq.

May 2007: Pelosi criticizes Colombian President Uribe

During Colombian President Álvaro Uribe's state visit to America in May 2007, Nancy Pelosi publicly scolded him, expressing concerns about alleged links between paramilitary groups and Colombian government officials. Pelosi also opposed the Colombian free-trade agreement.

2007: Pelosi receives NIAF Special Achievement Award

In 2007, Nancy Pelosi received the National Italian American Foundation (NIAF) Special Achievement Award for Public Advocacy and remains involved in the foundation.

September 2008: Pelosi hosts reception with Israeli Speaker

In September 2008, Nancy Pelosi hosted a reception in Washington with Israeli Speaker of the Knesset Dalia Itzik, along with 20 members of Congress, toasting the "strong friendship" between Israel and the United States. She held up replica dog tags of Israeli soldiers captured in 2006 as a symbol of sacrifice.

2008: Pelosi opposes embargo on Cuba

In 2008, Nancy Pelosi stated her opposition to the embargo on Cuba, advocating for the removal of travel bans and increased people-to-people exchanges.

2008: Pelosi criticizes China on Tibet, commends European Parliament

In 2008, after meeting with the Dalai Lama, Pelosi criticized China's handling of unrest in Tibet, calling on "freedom-loving people" to denounce China's human rights abuses. The same year, Pelosi praised the European Parliament for awarding the Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought to Chinese dissident Hu Jia and urged China to release him.

2009: Helped pass the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009

In 2009, Pelosi helped pass the Obama administration's landmark bills, including the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.

2010: Pelosi runs in California's 12th congressional district after redistricting

After redistricting from the 2010 census, Nancy Pelosi ran in California's 12th congressional district, which she represented for the next decade.

2010: Pelosi backs bill naming China currency manipulator

In 2010, Nancy Pelosi supported a bill that would designate China as a currency manipulator, which was intended to benefit exporters.

2010: Helped pass the 2010 Tax Relief Act

In 2010, Pelosi helped pass the Obama administration's landmark bills, including the 2010 Tax Relief Act.

2014: Prolific Fundraiser

From 2003 to 2014, Pelosi raised more than $400 million in campaign funds.

2014: Pelosi supported Israel in the 2014 Israel-Gaza conflict

In 2014, Nancy Pelosi supported Israel during the Israel-Gaza conflict.

July 2015: Pelosi supports Iran nuclear deal

In July 2015, Nancy Pelosi expressed confidence that President Obama would secure enough votes for the Iran nuclear deal, praising his presentation and calling the deal a "diplomatic masterpiece".

2015: Pelosi supports Obama's Cuban Thaw

In 2015, Nancy Pelosi supported President Obama's Cuban Thaw, a rapprochement between the U.S. and Cuba, and visited Havana for meetings with high-level officials.

2016: Pelosi on US aid to Israel

In 2016 Nancy Pelosi said that Democrats are taking "a great pride" in Barack Obama's Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that Israel signed with the Obama administration in 2016, for a guarantee of $38 billion in defense assistance over a decade.

2016: Pelosi argues against bills blocking Iran's access to the dollar

In 2016, Nancy Pelosi argued against bills that would block Iran's access to the dollar and impose sanctions for its ballistic missile program, stating that the JCPOA was the best way to prevent Iran from possessing a nuclear weapon.

January 2017: Pelosi votes against resolution condemning UN Security Council Resolution 2334

In January 2017, Nancy Pelosi voted against a House resolution condemning UN Security Council Resolution 2334, which called Israeli settlement building in the West Bank a "flagrant violation" of international law. She condemned the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) movement targeting Israel.

August 2017: Pelosi criticizes imprisonment of Hong Kong democracy activists

In August 2017, Nancy Pelosi criticized the imprisonment of Hong Kong democracy activists involved in a protest at the Civic Square in Hong Kong, calling the ruling an injustice.

March 2018: Pelosi on the establishment of Israel

In March 2018 Nancy Pelosi said, "There is no greater political accomplishment in the 20th Century than the establishment of the State of Israel."

March 2018: Pelosi urges Trump to take measures against China

In late March 2018, Nancy Pelosi and other Democratic leaders urged President Trump to focus more on China and impose real punishments, such as naming China a currency manipulator and stopping China from pressuring U.S. tech companies into giving up intellectual property rights. Pelosi advocated for a strong stand against unfair market barriers in China.

May 2018: Pelosi criticizes Trump's withdrawal from Iran nuclear deal

In May 2018, Nancy Pelosi criticized President Trump's decision to withdraw from the Iran nuclear deal, calling it an abdication of American leadership and "particularly senseless, disturbing & dangerous".

2018: Democrats Regain Control of House and Pelosi Elected Speaker Again

In 2018, Democrats regained majority control of the House, and Pelosi was again elected speaker.

March 2019: Pelosi says Israel and America are connected

In March 2019, Nancy Pelosi stated, "Israel and America are connected now and forever. We will never allow anyone to make Israel a wedge issue."

September 2019: Pelosi meets with Hong Kong pro-democracy activist Joshua Wong

In September 2019, Nancy Pelosi met with Hong Kong pro-democracy activist Joshua Wong on Capitol Hill. Chinese media responded by accusing Pelosi of supporting radical activists.

October 2019: House passes resolution on Armenian genocide

In October 2019, during Nancy Pelosi's second term as Speaker, the House voted 405 to 11 to confirm a resolution on the Armenian genocide.

December 2019: House Impeaches President Donald Trump

In December 2019, during her second speakership, the House impeached President Donald Trump for the first time; the Senate later acquitted him.

2020: Pelosi represents California's 11th congressional district after redistricting

Due to the 2020 United States redistricting cycle, Nancy Pelosi now represents California's 11th congressional district, which covers San Francisco.

January 2021: House Impeaches President Donald Trump Again

In January 2021, the House impeached President Donald Trump for the second time; the Senate later acquitted him.

2021: Highest-Ranking Woman in Presidential Line of Succession

Until 2021, Pelosi was the highest-ranking woman in the presidential line of succession in U.S. history.

August 2, 2022: Pelosi visits Taiwan

On August 2, 2022, Nancy Pelosi became the highest-ranking U.S. government official to visit Taiwan in 25 years, despite discouragement from President Joe Biden. The visit, backed by Senate Republicans, heightened tensions between the U.S. and China. Pelosi reaffirmed the U.S. Congress's commitment to Taiwan and met with Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-Wen.

August 5, 2022: China sanctions Pelosi

On August 5, 2022, the Chinese government sanctioned Nancy Pelosi for her visit to Taiwan, accusing her of interfering in China's internal affairs, undermining its sovereignty, and threatening peace in the Taiwan Strait.

2022: Republicans retook control of the House

In 2022, Republicans narrowly retook control of the House, ending Pelosi's tenure as speaker.

2022: Pelosi advises American athletes on Beijing Olympics

In 2022, on the eve of the Winter Olympics in Beijing, Nancy Pelosi advised American athletes competing to avoid actions that might provoke the Chinese government, warning of their ruthlessness.

January 28, 2024: Pelosi Suggests Possible Russian Connection to Pro-Palestinian Protests

On January 28, 2024, Nancy Pelosi suggested that some pro-Palestinian protesters calling for a ceasefire in the Gaza war could be connected to Russia and called on the FBI to investigate the possible connection.