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

(April 19–23, 2021)

Madam Speaker: A Behind-the-Scenes Look at the U.S. Speaker of the House (April 19–23, 2021)

Tuesday morning, Speaker Pelosi joined Chair Joyce Beatty, the Congressional Black Caucus, House Democratic Leadership, Members of the Florida Congressional Delegation and Vice President Kamala Harris for a Celebration of Life for Congressman Alcee L. Hastings in National Statuary Hall. On Wednesday, Speaker Pelosi joined Majority Leader Steny H. Hoyer, Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton, Oversight and Reform Committee Chairwoman Carolyn B. Maloney and Senator Tom Carper for a press conference ahead of the passage of H.R. 51, the Washington, D.C. Admission Act. This historic legislation would grant statehood to the residents of the District of Columbia. Thursday, Madam Speaker held her weekly press conference in the United States Capitol, where she commemorated Earth Day, the American Jobs Plan, which would help us build a more sustainable economy and a clean energy future. She also announced the reintroduction of the Elijah Cummings Lower Drug Costs Now Act and applauded the passage of D.C. statehood legislation.

Take a look at this week’s behind-the-scenes photos:

April 20, 2021

“It is fitting that we honor Alcee in Statuary Hall, because Alcee Hastings was an historic force in our Democracy. Alcee’s life was the story of America: a son of domestic workers, who became one of the most influential Members of Congress. But Alcee was not content to live the American Dream; he insisted on ensuring that others had that opportunity, too, and share in that promise.”

Behind-the-scenes photos of the week April 19–23, 2021. United States Capitol, Washington, DC

April 21, 2021

“Thank you very much, Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton. How inspiring it is to hear you talk about your grandfather, Holmes, walking away from the plantation, and you continuing that walk. You continue it for your family. You continue it for your district. You continue it for everyone in our country. Thank you for your tremendous leadership.”

Behind-the-scenes photos of the week April 19–23, 2021. United States Capitol, Washington, DC

April 22, 2021

“This is a photo of my father and the First Lady, Eleanor Roosevelt. He had a hearing as the Chair of the District of Columbia Appropriations Subcommittee. He was all for the idea of home rule — letting the people of D.C. hold their own local government –and what would come after that. My father extended an invitation to Eleanor Roosevelt, and she was the first First Lady to ever testify in Congress. She testified about the conditions in welfare institutions in the District of Columbia, and this is the photo that was taken. D.C. residents deserve voting representation in the Congress and full local self-government. D.C. Statehood is in my DNA, and I’m committed to helping finish what my father and so many others have started.”

Behind-the-scenes photos of the week April 19–23, 2021. United States Capitol, Washington, DC