Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi made a triumphant return to the House floor on Friday, marking her first appearance since undergoing hip replacement surgery.
The 84-year-old Democrat from California was seen entering the House chamber, supported by two aides. Her arrival was met with applause from her Democratic colleagues, some of whom stepped forward to greet their former leader.
As reported by Daily Mail, Pelosi's return to Congress comes a few weeks after she underwent surgery following a fall during a bipartisan congressional trip to Europe. The veteran politician chose to wear flats instead of her usual stilettos, a noticeable change from her pre-surgery attire.
Despite the evident pain and a visible limp, Pelosi maintained a cheerful demeanor as she navigated the chamber. She was seen smiling, shaking hands, and posing for photos with lawmakers and their families. The former speaker's fall occurred on a marble staircase in Luxembourg, leading to her hospitalization on December 13. A statement from her spokesperson revealed that she was subsequently taken to Germany for a successful hip replacement surgery.
The timeline for Pelosi's return to the U.S. from Europe was initially unclear. As lawmakers concluded their final activities before the holiday break, Pelosi was still in recovery. However, she made her way through the nation's Capitol on Friday for the commencement of the 119th Congress, where lawmakers were voting for the next speaker.
The Republicans currently hold one of the slimmest majorities in U.S. House history, which could potentially allow Democrats to exert influence if they remain united. It was uncertain whether Johnson would garner sufficient GOP support to retain his position as speaker, given that every Democrat, including Pelosi, was expected to vote for Hakeem Jeffries as their next leader. Johnson could only afford to lose one Republican vote to secure his reelection as speaker.
Pelosi announced her return to Washington following her surgery in a post on X, expressing her pride in representing the people of San Francisco in Congress. She expressed gratitude for the honor and reiterated her commitment to sharing San Francisco values.
During her recovery, Pelosi remained largely out of the public eye. She participated in a television interview via phone to pay tribute to the late President Jimmy Carter, who passed away during the holiday season. She also released a video message on social media during Christmas, thanking people for their prayers and well wishes.
The former speaker's fall in Europe led to a viral image of her standing minutes after the incident. In the photo, she is seen smiling while gripping a colleague's hand tightly. Congressman Mike McCaul (R-Texas) later suggested that her high heels might have contributed to the fall. He recalled helping Pelosi up after she lost her footing on the last step of a marble staircase without a railing.
In the wake of her fall, Pelosi has swapped her signature stilettos for more practical footwear. This change reflects her determination to continue serving the American people, despite the challenges she has faced. Her return to the House floor is a testament to her resilience and commitment to her role, embodying the spirit of perseverance that is characteristic of her long-standing political career.
Login