Originally posted by the Voice of America.
Voice of America content is produced by the Voice of America,
a United States federal government-sponsored entity, and is in
the public domain.


Pelosi Re-elected US House Speaker

VOA News

   RepresentativeNancy Pelosiwaselectedspeaker of theU.S.Houseof
   RepresentativesSundayfor her fourth term, with a narrower Democratic
   majority in the chamber and challenges ahead.

   The Democrat from Californiasurpassed the necessary majority of votes
   Sunday afternoon, with two Democrats votingfor other candidates and
   three more voting present.
   Democrats hold a narrow majority in the U.S. House of Representativesin
   the new117thCongress, with222Democrats and211 Republicans. A few
   members were unable to votebecausethey had tested positive forthe
   coronavirusorhadother health problems.

   For the first time since May, lawmakers had to be present for the vote
   instead of using a proxy system set up amid the pandemic. The vote
   lastedseveralhours as lawmakers were brought into the hall insmall
   groupstoavoid large crowd numbers.

   The new Congress facesseveral challenges, among them defeating
   thepandemicthat so far has cost more than 350,000 U.S. lives,and
   reviving the U.S. economy.

   The 80-year-oldPelosihas indicated thatafter this two-year periodshe
   willnot seek another term as speaker of the House,in accordance with a
   deal made with Democrats in 2018 who wantedher to step aside as speaker
   then.

   Pelosi did not face a challenger this term.

.