Madam Speaker: A Behind-the-Scenes Look at the U.S. Speaker of the House

(July 17–23)

On Tuesday, Speaker Pelosi met with Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti. She then joined the Mineta family, Members of Congress and guests to celebrate the life and service of the late Secretary Norm Mineta, and later hosted a roundtable with Members of the Veterans’ Affairs Committee and veterans advocates.

On Wednesday, Speaker Pelosi welcomed Olena Zelenska, the First Lady of Ukraine, to the United States Capitol to address Members of Congress. In the afternoon, she joined Democratic women Members of Congress and reproductive freedom advocates for a press event ahead of Thursday’s House passage of the Right to Contraception Act. In the evening, she joined the National Urban League at the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial to kick off their 2022 Conference.

On Thursday, Speaker Pelosi hosted her weekly press conference in the Capitol Visitors Center, where she discussed Democrats’ fight to lower costs for working families while defending American’ freedom from radical right-wing attacks.

Continue reading for this week’s behind-the-scenes content:

July 19

“Madam Speaker: A Behind-the-Scenes Look at the U.S. Speaker of the House”

“Although he suffered the horrors of internment, he still chose to devote his life to serving the nation that had turned its back on him. His pioneering career has opened the doors for countless AAPI leaders to follow along the extraordinary trail he blazed. In the House, those fortunate to serve with him treasure the lessons he taught us — especially to “think regionally and environmentally, not individually.” Our nation is safer and stronger because of his lifelong public service.”

“Madam Speaker: A Behind-the-Scenes Look at the U.S. Speaker of the House”

July 20

“Madam Speaker: A Behind-the-Scenes Look at the U.S. Speaker of the House”

“As Russia continues its cruel invasion, she has traveled here from the heart of the warzone to provide a report on security, economic and humanitarian conditions on the ground.”

“The Ukrainian people have displayed unimaginable heroism, as they confront unconscionable atrocities. The Congress remains with Ukraine as it fights to defend Democracy — not only for its people but for the world.”

“It is outrageous that — sixty years after Griswold was decided — women must again fight for our basic right to birth control … Democrats make clear: we will never quit in the fight against the outrageous right-wing assault on freedom.”

“Madam Speaker: A Behind-the-Scenes Look at the U.S. Speaker of the House”

July 21

“Associate Justice Clarence Thomas made it very clear. He wrote in his concurrent decision: ‘In future cases, we should reconsider all of this Court’s substantive due process precedents, including Griswold … we have a duty to correct the error created by those precedents.’ Now they want to turn back the clock. Democratic women in Congress are saying ‘we’re not turning back.’ I asked [Republicans] on the Floor: ‘Do you even have any idea of what’s going on in your own homes when it comes to contraception, family planning, birth control?’ Should we have a session on the birds and the bees so you have a further understanding of what this is? You don’t want birth control, but you want control of women.”