Democrats hope to get maximum attendance in Friday's speaker election, with former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi flying back to Washington, D.C., just over three weeks after undergoing hip replacement surgery.
Pelosi (D-Calif.), 84, in what was believed to be her first public appearance since falling down the marble steps of the Luxembourg Grand Duke's Palace and breaking her hip, sent a short message of thanks to voters before boarding the plane. Photographed.
“Hello, this is Nancy. I'm heading to Washington, D.C., to proudly represent the people of San Francisco and share San Francisco's values in the United States Congress,” the 19-term Democrat said in a clip she shared. her team.
In the video, Pelosi appeared tired but expressed her determination as she began her journey back to the nation's capital from the Golden State.
Her return to Washington will require a strong presence as Democratic leaders ensure there is no help for House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-Louisiana), who faces the difficult path of seizing the gavel in the 119th Congress. It is held in anticipation of
If the House of Commons is full, the magic number to become Speaker is 218. Based on expected attendance, Johnson will only have to lose one Republican. Already, Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.) has opposed him, and several others have said they do as well.
If attendance numbers drop and members vote “present,” Mr Johnson will be given a little more wiggle room. But House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) has said publicly that his party will not help bail out Johnson this time, especially after recent spending battles.
A video of Pelosi on the plane shared by her team left few clues about the exact state of her condition, including her mobility.
Pelosi suffered a bad fall on Dec. 13 while participating in a U.S. delegation to Luxembourg to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the Battle of the Bulge, a small country sandwiched between France, Germany and Belgium.
“I was right next to her. She likes to wear high heels – very high. She took the last step up this marble staircase with no railings and she tripped and fell to the ground. ''Rep. Michael McCaul (R-Texas) said later.
Immediately after the fall, McCall helped Pelosi to her feet. She then posed for a group photo with the delegation, holding Mr McCall's hand tightly and placing her left hand on her left hip, as if trying to disguise her pain.
From there, Pelosi was rushed to a hospital where she underwent successful hip replacement surgery, her team said.
The House was in recess just over a week after the incident, and Pelosi has not been seen at the Capitol since her injury.
Still, she continued to leverage her significant influence over House Democrats, supporting Rep. Gerry Connolly (D-Va.) over progressive darling Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.). He reportedly lobbied her over the phone to get him the top position in the Democratic Party. Oversight Committee.
Pelosi has served in the House of Representatives since 1987.
