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

(May 8–14)

On Tuesday evening, Speaker Pelosi welcomed leaders of the Munich Security Conference to Statuary Hall in the United States Capitol.

Wednesday, Speaker Pelosi joined National Domestic Workers Alliance and Care Can’t Wait Coalition for a “Caregivers Can’t Wait!” Rally on care infrastructure funding and workplace protections. Next, she participated in the Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial’s 25th anniversary celebration. In the afternoon, she welcomed His Majesty King Abdullah II ibn Al Hussein, King of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan; and His Excellency Mario Draghi, Prime Minister of the Italian Republic, to the United States Capitol ahead of respective bipartisan leadership meetings.

In the second half of the day, Speaker Pelosi joined Members of Congress on the steps of the United States Capitol to mark Mental Health Awareness Month. That evening, she joined Representative Marcy Kaptur, co-chair of the Congressional Ukrainian Caucus, Ambassador Audra Plepyte of the Republic of Lithuania and Ambassador Oksana Markarova of Ukraine for a film screening of “Mariupolis,” a film by Mantas Kvedaravicius.

On Thursday, Speaker Pelosi held her weekly press conference in the Capitol Visitor Center. To start the afternoon, she hosted the leaders of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations at the United States Capitol to mark 45 years of partnership and for a productive conversation on security, economy and governance. Later, she joined a staff meeting with Bay Area Council to discuss congressional action on regional priorities, and then join a bicameral group of Members of Congress led by Senator Amy Klobuchar and Represntative Lois Frankel to celebrate the passage of legislation to honor Justices Ruth Bader Ginsburg and Sandra Day O’Connor.

To close the week, Speaker Pelosi on Thursday evening joined Members of Congress on the steps of the United States Capitol to hold a moment of silence for the one million lives lost to COVID-19, and on Friday morning, joined House Democrats on the steps of the United States Capitol, to rally in support of the codification of Roe vs. Wade.

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

May 10th

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

May 11th

“If the workers get the respect they deserve, everyone will get the care that they need. Not sacrificing your family for their family, but rewarding your family for the work and the opportunity that you give to people to reach their fulfillment.”

“President Roosevelt called on the conscience of our country to join the fight for freedom, saying: “The light of Democracy must be kept burning.” Let us honor his legacy by continuing to keep Democracy’s precious flame alight.”

“Last time we were together here was July 2021. And at that time, we went forth with the 2021 Defense Cooperation Agreement, about fighting ISIS, about stability and security in the region. I’ve worked with His Majesty and his family for decades. We have always, in Congress, had the benefit of his wisdom, his knowledge and his judgment of the region.”

“As the first Italian-American Speaker of the House, you can just imagine what an honor — personally, officially and in every way — it is to welcome the Prime Minister of Italy, Mario Draghi, to the Capitol. We have a special security relationship with Italy. I always, when I go there, thank Italy for their hospitality to American troops who are there. I sometimes compare Italy to an aircraft carrier: there’s so many troops, north and south. But also, as a partner for peace in the world.”

“House Democrats have been proud to help lead the charge for stronger access to quality, affordable mental health care. The stress and trauma of the pandemic have made this fight even more urgent, inflicting enormous strain on Americans’ mental health. Today and every day, let us do all we can to defeat unfair stigmas, promote healing and support the millions of Americans nationwide living with mental health disorders.”

May 12th

“You know, in our country, we have always had, because of the brilliance and genius of our Constitution, an expansion of freedom. With this possible or — the suggested draft would be the first time a Court has expanded freedom and then contracted it in a very, very dangerous way.”

“This meeting served as another manifestation of America’s commitment to be a strong, reliable partner in Southeast Asia — and to President Biden’s strategy to advance a free and open Indo-Pacific.”

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

“When I became Speaker, and even just Leader, one of our goals in our Caucus — and working in a bipartisan way — was to have more diversity in the Congress. How could it be that this great country got to the place where it is with all those white men who are in the Capitol?”

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

May 13th

“Make no mistake: once Republicans shred long-standing precedent and privacy rights, they intend to wage an all out assault on more of our rights. As they seek to control and criminalize women’s reproductive health freedoms, Democrats are fighting to enshrine Roe v. Wade into law.”