Pelosi to depart as top House Democrat to make way for ‘new generation’

Outgoing speaker, 82, who has led House Democrats for two decades, makes announcement after Republicans win control

Nancy Pelosi, a giant of American politics and the first woman to lead the House of Representatives, is stepping down from leadership to make way for a new generation, she said on Thursday.

The 82-year-old, an ally of Joe Biden who led congressional Democrats for two decades, made the announcement after Republicans regained a majority in the chamber.