How Nancy Pelosi Shaped the Future: A Legacy Timeline

A detailed timeline of the impact and legacy of Nancy Pelosi across different fields.

Nancy Pelosi is a prominent American politician, notably serving as the 52nd Speaker of the House, twice holding the position. As a Democrat representing California since 1987, she made history as the first female Speaker and the first woman to lead a major party in Congress. She led House Democrats from 2003 to 2023, marking a significant career in American politics. Her district currently encompasses most of San Francisco.

Sections (7)

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

March 2010: Pelosi Assessed as Most Powerful Woman

By early 2010, analysts were assessing Nancy Pelosi as possibly the most powerful woman in U.S. history. In March 2010, Mark Shields wrote about her power.

2010: Pelosi Assessed as Powerful House Speaker

In 2010, Nancy Pelosi was considered the "most powerful House speaker since Sam Rayburn," and her first speakership was assessed favorably by scholars, highlighting the passage of the Affordable Care Act. Some praised Pelosi for occasionally allowing House passage of measures that had majority overall House support.

April 2018: Peter Beinart's Article in The Atlantic

In April 2018, Peter Beinart wrote in The Atlantic, characterizing Nancy Pelosi as "the most effective congressional leader of modern times—and, not coincidentally, the most vilified."

June 2019: Brent Budowsky's Opinion in The Hill

In June 2019, Brent Budowsky wrote in The Hill that Nancy Pelosi had been "the most important, consequential and effective Speaker since Tip O'Neill" as well as "one of the greatest Speakers who ever served."

January 2020: Paul Kane's Assessment in The Washington Post

In January 2020, on the eve of Trump's first impeachment trial before the U.S. Senate, Washington Post political writer Paul Kane called Nancy Pelosi the most powerful House speaker in at least 25 years, noting that some historians were comparing her influence to that of former speaker Sam Rayburn.

2021: John Boehner's Opinion on Pelosi

In 2021, former Republican speaker John Boehner opined that Nancy Pelosi had been the most powerful House speaker in U.S. history.

November 2022: Opinions on Pelosi's Effectiveness as Speaker

In November 2022, multiple writers and historians shared opinions on Nancy Pelosi's effectiveness as a Speaker, including Chris Cillizza writing that Pelosi was "the most effective speaker ever," Johnathan Bernstein opining for The Washington Post and Bloomberg News that Pelosi was "the greatest speaker in history," and Sarah Ferris of Politico calling Pelosi "a legislative giant regarded as one of the most powerful speakers in modern U.S. history." Historian Lindsay M. Chervinsky wrote for NBC News that Pelosi was "one of the most effective speakers in history".

November 29, 2022: Pelosi Named 'Speaker Emerita'

On November 29, 2022, the Steering and Policy Committee of the House Democratic Caucus named Nancy Pelosi "Speaker Emerita".

January 3, 2023: End of Pelosi's Second Speakership

On January 3, 2023, Nancy Pelosi's second speakership and her participation in the House Democratic Party leadership concluded at the end of the 117th Congress.