Challenges in the Life of Nancy Pelosi in a Detailed Timeline

Life is full of challenges, and Nancy Pelosi faced many. Discover key struggles and how they were overcome.

Nancy Pelosi is a prominent American politician best known for serving as the 52nd Speaker of the House, from 2007-2011 and 2019-2023. As a Democrat representing California's 11th district since 1987, she made history as the first female Speaker of the House. Pelosi also holds the distinction of being the first woman to lead a major political party in either chamber of Congress, leading House Democrats for two decades. Her leadership tenure is one of the longest in history. She is considered the dean of California's congressional delegation.

Sections (7)

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

1989: Pelosi Criticizes Bush's China Policy

In 1989, Nancy Pelosi criticized President George H.W. Bush's approach to China after the Tiananmen Square protests. She believed Congress should oppose waiving the Jackson-Vanik Amendment for China, arguing that economic hardship would lead to democratic reforms.

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, Nancy Pelosi, as part of a Congressional delegation, unfurled a banner in Tiananmen Square, leading to a confrontation with Chinese police. She also advocated for allowing Chinese political prisoners and dissidents to immigrate to the U.S.

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., Nancy Pelosi called on President Clinton and Vice President Gore to urge Zhu to acknowledge the 1989 Tiananmen Square protests as a pro-democracy movement.

2002: Pelosi Opposes Iraq Resolution

In 2002, Nancy Pelosi opposed the Iraq Resolution authorizing President George W. Bush to use military force against Iraq, arguing for exhausting diplomatic remedies and respecting the United Nations.

2004: House Democrats Consider Impeachment Proceedings Against Bush

In 2004, after Bush's reelection, several leading House Democrats considered impeachment proceedings against him, asserting that he had misled Congress about weapons of mass destruction in Iraq and violated Americans' civil liberties by authorizing warrantless wiretaps.

2004: Pelosi Opposes Bush's Social Security Reform Plan

In 2004, after being reelected, President Bush proposed reforming Social Security by allowing workers to redirect a portion of their Social Security withholding into stock and bond investments. Pelosi strongly opposed the plan, saying there was no crisis, leading her caucus to near-unanimous opposition, which resulted in the proposal's defeat.

2004: Criticism of Bush Administration

In 2004, as minority leader, Nancy Pelosi criticized the handling of the Iraq War by President Bush and his administration, saying Bush had demonstrated areas of "incompetence".

2004: Democratic Party Lost Seats

In 2004, the Democratic Party lost three seats in the House elections, which coincided with Bush's reelection as president.

2006: Republican Advertisements Assailing Pelosi

Before the 2006 elections, Republicans made a concerted effort to taint public perception of Nancy Pelosi, running advertisements assailing her.

2006: Focused on retaking the House majority

In 2006, Pelosi focused on retaking the House majority in her second term as minority leader, she worked to criticize the Bush administration more effectively and to contrast the Democratic Party with it.

January 5, 2007: Pelosi Condemns Bush's Plan to Increase Troop Levels in Iraq

On January 5, 2007, reacting to suggestions from President Bush's confidants that he would increase troop levels in Iraq, Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid condemned the plan and sent Bush a letter.

May 2007: Pelosi Scolds Colombian President Uribe

In May 2007, Nancy Pelosi publicly scolded Colombian President Álvaro Uribe during his state visit to America, expressing concerns about alleged links between paramilitary groups and Colombian government officials. She also opposed the Colombian free-trade agreement.

2007: Pelosi Holds Firm Against Impeachment

After becoming Speaker in 2007, Nancy Pelosi maintained her opposition to impeaching President Bush, despite strong support for it among her constituents.

2008: Pelosi Criticizes China on Tibet, Praises Sakharov Prize

In 2008, after meeting with the Dalai Lama, Nancy Pelosi condemned China's handling of unrest in Tibet. She also commended the European Parliament for awarding the Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought to Chinese dissident Hu Jia and called for his release.

2008: Pelosi Faces Challenge Over Impeachment Stance

In the 2008 election, Nancy Pelosi withstood a challenge for her seat by antiwar activist Cindy Sheehan, who ran as an independent primarily because of Pelosi's refusal to pursue impeachment of President Bush.

November 2010: Pelosi's Record as Speaker Called "Mixed"

In November 2010, after Democrats lost their House majority, Pelosi's record as speaker was described as "mixed", wielding "an iron fist in a Gucci glove" but having a "horrible approval rating with the rest of America". The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act was cited as an example of legislation that hurt the Democrats electorally in 2010.

November 17, 2010: Pelosi Elected House Minority Leader

On November 17, 2010, Nancy Pelosi was elected House Minority Leader after losing 63 seats and control of the House of Representatives to the Republicans. She defeated Representative Heath Shuler in the caucus vote.

2010: Republicans Use "Fire Pelosi" Slogan

Before the 2010 House elections, the Republican National Committee used a "Fire Pelosi" slogan in its efforts to recapture the House majority, after the House passed the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. Republicans spent $65 million on anti-Pelosi advertisements.

2010: Republican Ads against Pelosi

In the 2010 election cycle, Republicans spent more than $65 million on ads that negatively characterized or invoked Nancy Pelosi.

November 2011: 60 Minutes Alleges Pelosi Used Inside Information for Stock Trades

In November 2011, 60 Minutes alleged that Pelosi and other members of Congress used information from closed sessions to profit in the stock market, citing her purchase of Visa Inc. stock. Pelosi denied the allegations. She later voted for the Stop Trading on Congressional Knowledge Act (STOCK Act).

August 2016: Pelosi's Contact Information Posted Online After Cyberattack

In August 2016, Pelosi reported that her personal contact information was posted online following a cyberattack. This resulted in obscene and sick calls, voice mails, and text messages, leading her to warn members of Congress to avoid letting children or family members answer phone calls or read text messages.

November 17, 2016: Ryan Bids to Replace Pelosi as House Minority Leader

On November 17, 2016, Tim Ryan of Ohio initiated a bid to replace Pelosi as House minority leader. She defeated Ryan on November 30 after agreeing to give more leadership opportunities to junior members.

June 2017: Pelosi's Leadership Questioned After Special Election Losses

In June 2017, Pelosi's leadership was again questioned after Democrats lost four consecutive special elections in the House of Representatives. Some House Democrats held a closed-door meeting to discuss potential new Democratic leadership, while others publicly called for new leadership. Pelosi defended her leadership by saying, "I'm a master legislator."

August 2017: Pelosi Condemns 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, calling the ruling an injustice.

February 2018: Pelosi's record-breaking House speech on DREAMers

In February 2018, Pelosi broke the record for the longest House speech, using the "magic minute" custom to speak for over eight hours, recounting stories from DREAMers. She objected to a budget deal that would raise spending caps without addressing the future of DACA recipients, who were at risk of deportation by the Trump administration.

February 2018: Pelosi criticizes Nunes and Republicans over memo release

In February 2018, Pelosi sent a letter to Speaker Paul Ryan regarding the proposed public release of a memo prepared by Republican staff. She stated the FBI and DOJ warned that the memo was inaccurate and its release could threaten national security. Pelosi accused Republicans of a "cover-up campaign" to protect Trump and called for Nunes' removal due to "deliberately dishonest actions".

March 2018: Pelosi Urges Trump to Focus on China and Impose Punishments

In March 2018, Nancy Pelosi and other Democratic leaders urged President Trump to take stronger actions against China, including labeling China a currency manipulator and stopping the pressure on U.S. tech companies to give up intellectual property rights.

May 2018: Pelosi Criticizes Trump's Withdrawal from Iran Nuclear Deal

In May 2018, after President Trump announced his intention to withdraw from the Iran nuclear deal, Nancy Pelosi called the decision an abdication of American leadership and described it as "particularly senseless, disturbing & dangerous".

May 2018: Pelosi and Schumer request briefing on FBI informant

In May 2018, after the White House invited two Republicans and no Democrats to a Department of Justice briefing about an FBI informant, Pelosi and Schumer sent a letter to Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein and FBI director Wray. They requested a "bipartisan Gang of Eight briefing that involves congressional leadership from both chambers".

August 2018: Pelosi calls for Duncan D. Hunter's resignation

In August 2018, Pelosi called for Duncan D. Hunter's resignation after his indictment on charges of misusing at least $250,000 in campaign funds. She stated that the charges were "evidence of the rampant culture of corruption among Republicans in Washington today".

January 25, 2019: Trump signs bill to reopen government

On January 25, 2019, Trump signed a stopgap bill to reopen the government for three weeks to allow negotiations on an appropriations bill, without any concessions regarding a border wall.

September 2019: Pelosi Meets with Hong Kong Activist Joshua Wong

In September 2019, Nancy Pelosi met with Hong Kong pro-democracy activist Joshua Wong on Capitol Hill, prompting criticism from Chinese media who accused her of supporting radical activists.

September 29, 2019: Pelosi announces impeachment inquiry against Trump

On September 29, 2019, Pelosi announced the launch of an impeachment inquiry against Trump.

December 5, 2019: Pelosi authorizes drafting of impeachment articles

On December 5, 2019, after the impeachment inquiry had taken place, Pelosi authorized the Judiciary Committee to begin drafting articles of impeachment against Trump.

April 2021: Republicans criticize Pelosi's immigration stance

In April 2021, after southern border crossings peaked, House Republicans criticized Pelosi for saying that immigration under the Biden administration was "on a good path".

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.

October 2022: Attack on Paul Pelosi

In October 2022, while Pelosi was in Washington, D.C., an intruder entered her San Francisco home and attacked her husband, Paul Pelosi, with a hammer.

2022: Republican Ads against Pelosi

During the 2022 election cycle, Republicans ran more than $50 million in ads that negatively characterized or invoked Nancy Pelosi.

2022: Pelosi reelected but Democrats lose House majority

In 2022, Pelosi was reelected to the House, but the Democratic Party lost the House majority. She announced ten days later that she would not seek a Democratic leadership post in the next Congress.

2022: End of Speakership

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

2022: Pelosi Warns Athletes at Beijing Olympics

In 2022, on the eve of the Winter Olympics in Beijing, Nancy Pelosi advised American athletes to avoid provoking the Chinese government due to its ruthlessness.

July 2024: Paul Pelosi's Visa stock sale draws scrutiny

In July 2024, Pelosi's husband, Paul Pelosi, sold between $500,000 and $1 million worth of Visa stock shortly before the Department of Justice filed an antitrust lawsuit against the company, drawing allegations of potential insider trading.

December 2024: Hospitalization After Hip Fracture

In December 2024, Pelosi was hospitalized after fracturing her hip while falling down stairs during an official trip to Luxembourg. On December 14, she underwent hip replacement surgery at Landstuhl Regional Medical Center in Germany.

2024: Pelosi urges Biden to withdraw candidacy

Amid concerns about President Biden's reelection prospects in the 2024 presidential election, Pelosi and other Democratic officials urged him to withdraw his candidacy before the party's National Convention. Pelosi feared his faltering candidacy might result in a Republican government trifecta. After Biden withdrew from the race, Pelosi endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris.

2024: Scrutiny over family's stock trading activities

Pelosi has faced scrutiny over her family's stock trading activities, particularly after reports indicated that her investment portfolio achieved a 54% return in 2024. Critics argue that members of Congress may have access to non-public information.