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

(June 13–19, 2021)

Congress returned to session this week, and House Democrats continued their fight For The People. On Monday, Madam Speaker joined Members of Congress on the Capitol steps in a bipartisan moment of silence to commemorate the 600,000 lives lost to the Covid-19 pandemic. Tuesday, Madam Speaker joined the Texas Democratic Congressional Delegation and Democratic members of the Texas State Legislature for a press conference on protecting the right to vote for all Texans amid Republican-led efforts to advance harmful voter suppression legislation, where she highlightedthe need for H.R. 1/S. 1, the For The People Act, and the H.R. 4, the John Lewis Voting Rights Act. On Wednesday, Speaker Pelosi and House Democrats held a bill enrollment ceremony for H.R. 49, legislation to designate the National Pulse Memorial. Later that day, the Speaker joined Chairman Jim Himes to introduce the Members of the Select Committee on Economic Disparity and Fairness in Growth, which will study and recommend proposals to make our economy work for everyone, powering American economic growth while ensuring that no one is left out or left behind. Thursday morning, Madam Speaker joined Majority Whip James E. Clyburn and members of the Congressional Black Caucus for a bill enrollment ceremony for S. 475, the Juneteenth National Independence Day Act, long overdue action to finally recognize Juneteenth as a federal holiday and ensure that this momentous event takes its place of honor in our nation. That afternoon, the Speaker held her weekly press conference in the Capitol Visitor Center.

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

June 14

Madam Speaker: A Behind-the-Scenes Look at the U.S. Speaker of the House (June 13–19, 2021)

June 15

Madam Speaker: A Behind-the-Scenes Look at the U.S. Speaker of the House (June 13–19, 2021)

Nineteen states have legislation put forth to diminish the ability for people to vote by mail. Twenty-seven states have laws that make it harder to vote because of ID requirements. Seventeen states expanded purges and eight states have bills to eliminate a facility to register, whether it’s same day or earlier voting.

But in the Congress, we have the antidote to all of that.Whether it’s assistance for voting or vote-by-mail or many of the provisions in the Texas Senate Bill 7, these injusticesare corrected by what is in H.R. 1.

June 16

Pulse was a peaceful haven, where mostly young, mostly LGBTQ Americans could enjoy music, dancing and celebration — a sense of community. Our hearts break again thinking of how this sanctuary of safety and solidarity was violated by this horrific act of hatred, leaving behind unimaginable pain in the Orlando community. Shortly after the shooting, I had the solemn privilege of traveling to Pulse to meet with the brave survivors, the families who lost ones and those who established Pulse. Their message was a clear and simple one: “Stop the violence. Don’t let this happen to other people.”

It is with very deep and mixed emotions that we come together, pleased that we will immortalize Pulse as a national memorial and take an important step to honor 49 beautiful souls who passed. We carry that sadness with us constantly, but the excitement of making this a national memorial is a source of some satisfaction.

Five years later, gun violence still plagues countless communities across the country. On average, 100 persons are killed a day. The pain in our communities endures, but our resolve to finally end the horrors of gun violence are as strong as ever. In this mission, we are strengthened by the memories of those we lost at Pulse and all of the lives stolen by this epidemic.

Madam Speaker: A Behind-the-Scenes Look at the U.S. Speaker of the House (June 13–19, 2021)

The Select Committee on Economic Disparity and Fairness in Growth is predicated on something said by Franklin Roosevelt, when he established something called the Temporary National Economic Committee: “The liberty of a democracy is not safe if the people tolerate the growth of the private power to a point where it becomes stronger than the democratic state itself … the liberty of a democracy is not safe if the business system does not provide employment and produce and distribute goods in a way as to sustain an acceptable standard of living.”

Madam Speaker: A Behind-the-Scenes Look at the U.S. Speaker of the House (June 13–19, 2021)

June 17

Over the past 156 years, Juneteenth has evolved as a day not only of celebration, but of reflection — reminding us of a history much stained by brutality and injustice. We all remain committed to the fight to end racism and advance justice, which continues with a renewed urgency. In that spirit, let us strive to honor the idea of equality, America’s heritage and hope.

Activists and leaders over the years all deserve credit for thismomentous step. This step is important, obviously, to the Congressional Black Caucus, but this is an important step for America as we ensure that one of the most momentous events in our history finally takes its official place of honor in our nation.

Madam Speaker: A Behind-the-Scenes Look at the U.S. Speaker of the House (June 13–19, 2021)

“As we come together now, we are, of course, happy with the Supreme Court decision on the Affordable Care Act. I think it’s really important to note this historic decision. Once again, the Supreme Court upheld the constitutionality of the Affordable Care Act and the transformational protections that it provides every American, no matter where they get their coverage.”

Earlier today, we had the enrollment signing for the Juneteenth becoming a national holiday ceremony. It was pretty exciting to thank Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee, the current author; Danny Davis, the original author of the Juneteenth legislation; Madam Chair of the Congressional Black Caucus, Joyce Beatty; and, of course, Mr. Clyburn, who regaled us of stories of the history, as well as any possible connection to South Carolina. We can always count on him for that.

Madam Speaker: A Behind-the-Scenes Look at the U.S. Speaker of the House (June 13–19, 2021)