Op-ed: Speaker Pelosi is stepping down, but her legacy remains

Last week in the chamber of the House of Representatives, Speaker Nancy Pelosi delivered magnificent remarks about our Constitution, our democracy and her decision to relinquish power, as great leaders do.

As Bay Area members of the California delegation representing Santa Clara County, we celebrate her decades of consequential leadership and her unparalleled record of achievements. Without question, she is the most effective speaker in American history.

Operating within the narrowest of majorities, she has led our caucus through some of our most historic votes and greatest victories for the American people, including the Affordable Care Act, the Inflation Reduction Act and the CHIPS and Science Act. These victories delivered real results for Americans, from lowering prescription drug costs to bringing manufacturing and jobs back home.

As the first woman speaker of the House, Speaker Pelosi also made sure to open the door for future generations of diverse leaders to follow in her footsteps. When Speaker Pelosi arrived in Congress in 1987, there were only 12 Democratic women in the House. It is because of her leadership and mentorship over the last 35 years and her tenacious recruiting and campaigning that there are 91 Democratic women serving in the House today.

Our nation will always remember her bravery as she led us through 9/11, the economic collapse of 2008, the Capitol insurrection on Jan. 6, 2021, Putin’s brutal war in Ukraine and the horrific attack on her husband, Paul Pelosi. Through perilous and heartbreaking times for our country, she always called us to a higher place, to live up to our sacred oath “to protect and defend” our nation—not our political positions. She has done it all with integrity, with grace and with honor.

Speaker Pelosi called on us to have a peaceful transition of power for a new generation of leadership of our caucus, and that we shall do. As we move forward, her towering and patriotic leadership will always inspire us to use power for the good of California and our country.

We remain confident that she will continue to use her vast knowledge and resourcefulness in her new role in the House to get things done for the Bay Area and our country.

During this season of Thanksgiving, our gratitude and respect are unending for the superb leadership of Nancy Pelosi.

Congressmembers Ro Khanna, Anna Eshoo, Zoe Lofgren and Jimmy Panetta represent Santa Clara County in the U.S. House of Representatives.