It’s the end of an era for Democrats, and the nation.
Speaker Nancy Pelosi told fellow lawmakers Thursday she will step aside from the top Democratic leadership role she has held for nearly two decades in the House.
The announcement, delivered to a packed House chamber, comes a day after Republicans officially clinched the majority, albeit a small one, that will give them control of the gavel once again after losing it four years ago.
Mrs. Pelosi, 82, isn’t retiring from Congress, yet. She plans to stick around and play an advisory role for the leadership team, which is about to undergo the biggest shuffle in more than 15 years.