As we are sworn in today, we accept a responsibility as daunting and demanding as any that previous generations of leadership have faced.

Our most urgent priority will continue to be defeating the coronavirus – and defeat it, we will! #117thCongress pic.twitter.com/HD5w1OUfx3

— Nancy Pelosi (@SpeakerPelosi) January 4, 2021

 

WASHINGTON (AP) – Nancy Pelosi has been narrowly re-elected as House speaker for a fourth term.

Her victory gives her the reins of Democrats’ slender House majority as she and President-elect Joe Biden set a challenging course of producing legislation to tackle the pandemic, revive the economy and address other party priorities.

The California Democrat received 216 votes compared to 209 for California Republican Rep. Kevin McCarthy, who will be House minority leader.

Pelosi told lawmakers that her top priority will be defeating the coronavirus pandemic.

But from the House floor, McCarthy accused her of running a House that has done little, an accusation that Democrats dismiss.

But the comments offer a reminder that Congress’ partisan divide is bitter.