Nancy Pelosi Reportedly Calling it Quits After Nearly Four Decades in Congress [WATCH]

Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi is reportedly preparing to retire from Congress at the end of her current term, according to multiple Democratic officials who spoke with NBC News.

The 85-year-old lawmaker has represented San Francisco’s 11th Congressional District since 1987 and is expected not to seek reelection in 2026.

NBC News reported that “multiple Democratic elected officials and top aides in CA and Washington tell @NBCNews they believe NANCY PELOSI will choose not to seek re-election in 2026, after nearly four decades representing her San Francisco-based district.”

BREAKING REPORT: Nancy Pelosi, 85, will not seek reelection in 2026, marking the end of her time in Congress. pic.twitter.com/e6zJQRDwfX

— Breaking911 (@Breaking911) November 3, 2025

A House Democratic leadership aide told the network, “I think she’s preparing to exit the stage.”

Another California Democrat expressed admiration for her long tenure, saying, “I wish she would stay for 10 more years. I think she’s out. She’s going to go out with Prop 50 overwhelmingly passing, and what a crowning achievement for her to do that.”

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Pelosi’s potential retirement would mark the end of one of the longest and most controversial careers in modern congressional history.

NEW w/@jonallendc: Multiple Democratic elected officials and top aides in CA and Washington tell @NBCNews they believe NANCY PELOSI will choose not to seek re-election in 2026, after nearly four decades representing her San Francisco-based district.

“I think she’s preparing to…

— Scott Wong (@scottwongDC) November 3, 2025

First elected in a 1987 special election, Pelosi rose to become the first woman to serve as Speaker of the House, holding the gavel during two separate stints—2007 to 2011 and again from 2019 to 2023.

Pelosi played a central role in advancing her party’s legislative priorities and led both impeachment efforts against President Donald Trump during her second tenure as Speaker.

Her leadership often drew fierce criticism from Republicans who accused her of partisan tactics and procedural overreach.

In May 2020, Pelosi authorized the House of Representatives to adopt “proxy voting” for the first time in U.S. history, citing pandemic-related concerns.

The move allowed members to cast votes remotely instead of being physically present on the House floor, a decision opposed by Republicans who argued it violated constitutional requirements for in-person voting.

During the first vote under the new system, 71 Democratic lawmakers participated by proxy.

The practice quickly became a point of contention after reports surfaced that one Maryland Democrat cast seven separate votes on behalf of colleagues in districts he did not represent.

Despite legal and political objections, Pelosi continued to extend proxy voting throughout the remainder of her speakership.

Critics maintained that the system undermined legislative accountability, while Pelosi defended it as a necessary adaptation to safeguard members’ health during the pandemic.

Pelosi’s leadership tenure also included her handling of two impeachment proceedings against President Trump—one in 2019 related to Ukraine and another in early 2021 following the Capitol riot. Both efforts resulted in acquittals by the Senate.

In recent months, Pelosi’s public appearances have sparked renewed discussion about her political future.

Last month, during an interview with NBC Boston, she made headlines for using profanity twice when responding to questions about political polarization and her party’s messaging.

If Pelosi chooses not to run again, her departure would open a powerful seat in a strongly Democratic district that she has dominated for nearly four decades.

The timing of her exit would also coincide with broader generational changes within the Democratic Party, as several long-serving members of Congress approach retirement.