Michael Hernandez
03 January 2019•Update: 03 January 2019
By Michael Hernandez
WASHINGTON
Nancy Pelosi won the speakership of the House of Representatives on Thursday, overcoming earlier threats from the progressive wing of her party to withhold support.
"Two months ago the American people spoke and demanded a new dawn," she told the House shortly after securing 220 votes in the 435-member chamber. "Working together we will redeem the promise of the American dream, advancing progress for every community."
Pelosi, 78, took the speaker's gavel for a second time following Thursday's vote, returning her to the post she first held 11 years ago.
The California Democrat remains the only woman to have assumed the top job in the House.
While Pelosi's caucus in the 116th Congress has shown early signs of divides, rebel Democrats appeared, for now, to put aside their differences as the solidly-Democratic chamber prepares to take on U.S. President Donald Trump.
An already simmering budget battle with the president has led to a partial government shutdown that has worsened over the course of its nearly two-week span, and shows no signs of abating anytime soon with each side digging in for a prolonged battle over the $5 billion Trump is seeking for a wall along the U.S.-Mexico border.
With Democrats in control of the House they will be able to set the chamber's legislative agenda, and would be far more likely to begin impeachment proceedings against the president than if Republicans had retained control of the chamber.
Democrats, however, gained 40 seats in last November's midterm elections, setting up the ouster of Republican House leadership.
On the agenda for Democrats, Pelosi said, are lowering health care costs, reducing economic disparity, protecting social welfare programs and fighting climate change.
"We have no illusions that our work will be easy," she said. "But let each of us pledge that when we disagree we respect each other and we respect the truth."
