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| | A new chapter of American history was written Thursday when California's Nancy Pelosi was formally chosen as the first female speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives. It's taken more than 200 years for "the marble ceiling," as Pelosi and others described, to be shattered by a woman. But it happened as the 110th Congress convened, making the San Francisco Democrat next in the presidential line of succession after the vice president.
By all means, we judge Pelosi on her abilities. Nonetheless, it is difficult to not acknowledge the importance of her achievement - not what it meant to her, or this new Congress, but what it also meant to young girls and women everywhere.
"Becoming the first woman speaker will send a message to young girls and women across the country that anything is possible for them," Pelosi said before being sworn into office.
Democrats have returned to power after 12 years of being the minority party, and they've promised to plunge immediately into an ambitious legislative agenda. In the first 100 hours of the session, the Pelosi-led House vows to push ethics and open government reforms at the top of their priority list. Also on that list: raising the minimum wage, reducing Medicare prescription and student loan costs, promoting stem cell research and renewable fuels and adopting the recommendations of the Sept. 11 commission.
Simultaneously, the Democrats are pledging a bipartisan effort that bridges the political divide. Yes, Pelosi says, we'll pursue Democratic-led initiatives, but we'll do so by extending a reach across the aisle and working with Republican leaders, too.
Voters sent a message in November to both parties: Eliminate the gridlock that stifles progress.
Pelosi and the rest of the Democratic Congress need to deliver the change that voters demanded. |
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A new chapter of American history was written Thursday when California's 