Nearly All Senior Republican Officials Skipped Pelosi’s Stepping Down Speech

Senior GOP leadership largely snubbed House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s (D-CA) emotional speech stepping down from her leadership perch Thursday afternoon, with only House Minority Whip Steve Scalise (R-LA) in attendance.

A handful of rank-and-file House Republicans attended her announcement, drawing sharp contrast and showcasing the frosty relationship between the two parties in the lower chamber.

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“With great confidence in our caucus, I will not seek reelection to Democratic leadership in the next Congress. For me, the hour’s come for a new generation to lead the Democratic caucus,” Pelosi declared.

Pelosi made history as the first female speaker of the House and led the Democrats for nearly 20 years in the lower chamber. She was joined in making her exit by her deputy, House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-MD), who is backing Rep. Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) to replace her.

The top House Democrat will likely be the minority leader now that Republicans have snagged a razor-thin majority in the House following the midterm elections last week.

“There is no greater official honor for me than to stand on this floor and to speak for the people of San Francisco. This I will continue to do as a member of the House speaking for the people of San Francisco, serving the great state of California, and defending our Constitution,” Pelosi continued.

Pelosi drew thunderous applause from Democrats in attendance. Some of them were seen crying as she made her remarks.

“This is the most beautiful building in the world because of what it represents,” Pelosi said during her remarks. “The Capitol is a temple of our democracy, of our Constitution, of our highest ideals.”

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Her speech got emotional briefly when she recalled the brutal attack on her husband last month.

House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) is facing a rocky road to succeeding Pelosi as speaker and is forced to contend with considerable defections from within his ranks.