Who is Nancy Pelosi and what does she do?

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Who is Nancy Pelosi? Nancy Pelosi (born March 26, 1940) is the Minority Leader of the United States House of Representatives, representing California’s 12th congressional district since 2013. She has served as the 52nd Speaker of the United States House of Representatives from 2007 to 2011 and as House Minority Whip from 2002 to 2003 and from 2007 to 2011. She also served as the House Democratic Caucus Chair from 1999 to 2002, becoming the first woman in U.S.

7 Interesting Facts About Nancy Pelosi

Politicians don’t get more powerful than House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. The former Speaker of California’s House of Representatives was elected to Congress in 1987, having served as a congresswoman ever since. She spent 12 years as her party’s caucus chairwoman, eight years as its ranking member on the Rules Committee and took over as speaker following their 2006 re-election. As a politician, you simply don’t get more powerful than that. But most people aren’t familiar with her story—where did it begin, how did she end up where she is today and why has it been so important for women around her world? Let's take a look back at some interesting facts about Nancy Pelosi!

Nancy Pelosi’s Background

Nancy Patricia D’Alesandro Pelosi was born on March 26, 1940 in Baltimore, Maryland. The eldest of six children, her father was Thomas D’Alesandro Jr., a Democratic member of Congress from Maryland. Her mother’s name was Anne Elizabeth Dang Perlman. When she was very young, her family moved to California where they lived in a small home near Capitol Hill. Young Nancy often took part in demonstrations against her father when he voted against Social Security and Medicare legislation. She also campaigned with him during his mayoral runs. While attending Catholic school, Pelosi first became interested in politics at age 12 when she worked as an election judge for local Democrats in Washington, DC.

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Her Role as House Minority Leader

As Democratic leader of the House, it’s Pelosi’s job to be a public face for Democrats. She regularly criticizes President Trump, stands up for human rights, and lobbies for Democratic policies. When important legislation is up for a vote in Congress, her voice carries a lot of weight. Prior to being elected Minority Leader by fellow Democrats, Pelosi served as Speaker of the House from 2007 until 2011—and at that time was one of only 10 women to have ever held that position (she's since been joined by four more). Since taking over as Minority Leader again in 2016, she has been chosen by her peers three times as their nominee for Speaker of the House.

Her Controversial Statements

Pelosi, who has held leadership positions in both houses of Congress since 2002, has been no stranger to controversy during her tenure. Her stances on immigration reform have been met with resistance by those on both sides of the political spectrum. In September 2017, after President Trump rescinded Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA), Pelosi called his decision heartless and urged Congressional colleagues to vote against an end-of-the-year budget bill if it didn't include protections for DACA recipients. Similarly, in June 2018, while Vice President Mike Pence addressed a U.S.-Mexico border wall project in San Diego, Calif., Pelosi called him a liar following his praise of current border security levels.

Nancy Pelosi’s Net Worth

$100,002,505.74 As of February 2017, Nancy Pelosi’s net worth was $100,002,505.74 (inflation-adjusted). This makes her wealthier than any other U.S. Speaker of House ever elected (at least to date), even adjusting for inflation.

Ways She Could Have Made That Money

The House Minority Leader made $193,400 in 2012, plus a tax-free expense account of up to $46,941.56. However, that’s not her only income: She also makes money from an inherited trust fund from her husband Paul's stock portfolio. Though its value has reportedly been heavily depleted since his death in 2003—it’s worth between $4 million and $20 million—that still isn't a bad haul for someone who spends much of her time working at a nonprofit organization as treasurer of The Commonwealth Fund, which focuses on health care issues.

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Is Nancy Pelosi a Good Politician?

The current House Minority Leader, Nancy Pelosi, has long been a controversial figure. She’s known for her effectiveness as a politician and as a fundraiser but she also comes with a long history of failed political battles. For every great success she’s had there have been multiple failures that would tarnish any other politician's career. It’s hard to say where things stand now but it’s clear that Nancy Pelosi is both loved and hated by many in Washington. Here are some questions that help to explain who he woman at the center of all of these conflicting opinions really is

What She Wants to Change About Politics in America

The Democratic leader in Congress wants to change how Congress works. We’re going to have to raise our game, we’re going to have to go from being an opposition party back into a proposition party, Pelosi said at a University of Kentucky symposium on Friday, as quoted by Roll Call. And that’s where we want it. We want it back; we are not in charge. We will be one day again. And until then, there’s other things I can do now that I’m speaker — not primarily governing — but holding a caucus together and raising money for them and so forth, keeping our identity intact as Democrats, showing that we care about people.

Nancy Pelosi’s Policies on Climate Change, Gun Control, and Immigration

How Do They Affect You? - Owning a gun isn’t quite as straightforward as it used to be. Since President Donald Trump has been in office, lawmakers have taken steps toward allowing guns in more places, including public schools and on public transit. Gun laws have been loosened in certain states (namely Florida) after 17 people were killed at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School. According to The Washington Post, The NRA spent more than $50 million to help elect Trump, who has called [former Republican Arizona Senator] John McCain a coward for not voting for [the repeal of Obamacare]. On Feb.