Nancy Pelosi's Success and Achievements in Timeline

A success timeline featuring the most significant achievements of Nancy Pelosi.

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

November 15, 2002: Pelosi Defeats Ford

On November 15, 2002, Nancy Pelosi defeated Harold Ford Jr. in a closed-door vote of caucus members to become the House Democratic Caucus's leader.

November 2002: Elected House Minority Leader

In November 2002, Nancy Pelosi was elected to replace Dick Gephardt as House minority leader.

2006: Democrats regain the House majority

In 2006, Nancy Pelosi led the Democrats to a majority in the House for the first time in 12 years.

January 4, 2007: Pelosi Elected Speaker of the House

On January 4, 2007, Nancy Pelosi was elected Speaker of the House, defeating Republican John Boehner.

2007: NIAF Special Achievement Award

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

2007: Spearheaded the Fair Minimum Wage Act of 2007

In 2007, as Speaker of the House, Nancy Pelosi spearheaded the Fair Minimum Wage Act of 2007, which raised the minimum wage in the United States and certain territories.

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.

2009: Pelosi Reelected Speaker

In 2009, Nancy Pelosi was reelected as Speaker of the House.

January 2010: Pelosi Champions Affordable Care Act

After Republican Scott Brown won Democrat Ted Kennedy's former Senate seat in the January 2010 Massachusetts special election, Pelosi dismissed Obama's scaled-back healthcare ideas, convincing him to pursue full healthcare reform and rallied her caucus to pass the Affordable Care Act. Obama praised Pelosi as "one of the best speakers the House of Representatives has ever had."

March 2010: Pelosi Assessed as Possibly Most Powerful Woman

In March 2010, Nancy Pelosi was assessed as possibly the most powerful woman in U.S. history and among the most powerful speakers of the previous 100 years.

November 2010: Analysts Weigh In on Pelosi's Speakership

In November 2010, various analysts weighed in on Pelosi's speakership, following the Democrats losing their House majority.

2010: Instrumental in passing the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act

In 2010, Nancy Pelosi was instrumental in passing the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. She played a key role in convincing President Obama to persist with health-care reform efforts.

2010: Scholars Assess Pelosi's Speakership

Later in 2010, Pelosi was assessed as the "most powerful House speaker since Sam Rayburn a half century ago", and "one of the most partisan". Scholars favorably assessed Pelosi's first speakership, with some declaring that she would rank high among modern speakers, highlighting the passage of the Affordable Care Act and her handling of political polarization.

July 2015: Pelosi Convinced Obama Has Votes for Iran Nuclear Deal

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

April 2018: Pelosi as most effective congressional leader

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

2018: Pelosi Deemed Strongest, Most Effective Speaker of Modern Times

In 2018, Nancy Pelosi was deemed the "strongest and most effective speaker of modern times" during her first speakership.

2018: Pelosi's Legacy and Influence

In 2018, Robert Draper wrote for The New York Times Magazine about Pelosi's legacy and influence.

2018: Democrats Regain House Majority

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

January 3, 2019: Pelosi reelected as Speaker of the House

On January 3, 2019, Pelosi was reelected as Speaker of the House at the start of the 116th Congress, after securing 220 House Democrats' votes. She agreed to not stay in the role for more than four years.

June 2019: Pelosi compared to Tip O'Neill

In June 2019, Brent Budowsky opined in The Hill that 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: Pelosi as the most powerful House speaker in 25 years

In January 2020, on the eve of Trump's first impeachment trial, Washington Post political writer Paul Kane called Pelosi the most powerful House speaker in at least 25 years.

2021: Pelosi as the most powerful House speaker in U.S. history

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

August 2, 2022: Pelosi Visits Taiwan

On August 2, 2022, Nancy Pelosi visited Taiwan, becoming the highest-ranking U.S. official to do so in 25 years. The visit, despite discouragement from President Biden, was supported by some Republicans and triggered retaliatory measures from China. Pelosi affirmed the U.S. Congress's commitment to Taiwan and met with Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-Wen, calling Taiwan one of the "freest societies in the world".

November 2022: Pelosi as most effective speaker ever

In November 2022, Chris Cillizza wrote that Pelosi was "the most effective speaker ever." Johnathan Bernstein opined for The Washington Post and Bloomberg News that Pelosi was "the greatest speaker in history." Jackie Calmes of the Los Angeles Times shared the same opinion. Sarah Ferris of Politico called Pelosi "a legislative giant regarded as one of the most powerful speakers in modern U.S. history."

November 29, 2022: Pelosi named "speaker emerita"

On November 29, 2022, the Steering and Policy Committee of the House Democratic Caucus honorarily named Pelosi "speaker emerita" in the upcoming 118th U.S. Congress.