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

(June 19–25)

On Tuesday, Speaker Pelosi welcomed her constituent, Alexander Tseng, and their mother, Cecillia, to the United States Capitol. Tseng was congratulated on winning the CA-12 Congressional Art Competition, and their work will be displayed in the Capitol.

On Wednesday morning, the Speaker joined Tibetan leaders for the 8th World Parliamentarians’ Convention on Tibet to reaffirm the United States’ commitment to the Tibetan people. That afternoon, she joined the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, Dolores Huerta and farmworker advocates to discuss the Farm Workforce Modernization Act.

On Thursday, in Statuary Hall, Speaker Pelosi hosted the unveiling of a portrait of the late Congresswoman Patsy Takemoto Mink, the first woman of color elected to Congress and a driving force behind enacting Title IX fifty years ago. In the Capitol Visitor Center, she greeted the Georgetown University Center on Faith and Justice Summer Academy. Back in her office, she welcomed, first, Ambassador Bridget Brink of the United States to Ukraine, and later, Ambassador Rahm Emanuel of the United States to Japan. Speaker Pelosi then greeted Congressional district directors during their fly-in conference at the Library of Congress. In the evening, she greeted visitors at a film screening of “Hiding in Plain Sight: Youth Mental Illness.”

On Friday morning, Speaker Pelosi hosted her weekly press conference, where she expressed heartbreak and outrage at the devastating Supreme Court decision overturning Roe v. Wade and ripping away women’s fundamental right to reproductive care. Shortly after, she met with Congressman David Cicilline and transgender and gender non-conforming youth advocates. In the afternoon, she joined House Democrats on the steps of the Capitol for a press event ahead of passage of the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act. Later, the Speaker signed two bills: the Keep Kids Fed Act and the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act.

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

June 21

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

June 22

“For decades, the Chinese government has waged a dangerous assault on human rights in Tibet, clearly showing that it has no regard for Tibetan autonomy or identity or faith. This forum is crucial, bringing together leaders of parliaments from all over the world to advance real autonomy for Tibet.”

“Farm workers put food on the table for millions of Americans across the country. They are like family to all of us. This fundamental legislation advances fair wages and protections for farm workers, offers a pathway to citizenship for millions of undocumented workers and improves access to quality housing.”

June 23

“For half a century, Title IX has transformed the meaning of equality and opportunity — in our classrooms, on the playing field and everywhere on campus. With the help of her sheer force of will, Congresswoman Mink led the charge alongside Congresswoman Edith Green and Senator Birch Bayh to craft and enact this landmark legislation — advancing a brighter, fairer future for women and girls.”

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

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

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

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

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

June 24

“This is deadly serious. But we are not going to let this pass. A woman’s right to choose — reproductive freedom — is on the ballot in November. We cannot allow [Republicans] to take charge so that they can institute their goal, which is to criminalize reproductive freedom.”

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

“We are going to be acting to make our country safer for our children. It’s an appalling fact that more children die from gun violence than any other cause. We must reduce gun violence in our country For The Children. I have a challenge coin, ‘Stand with Parkland.’ And in standing with Parkland, we stand with all of you, with all of you. And again, we will not rest until the job is done.”

“With this signature, the Congress proudly sends to the President a bipartisan bill to continue providing our children with healthy, free school meals. This is an enormous victory For The Children and provides the foundation they need to succeed — both in the classroomand for the rest of their lives.”

“The Congress sent to the President our nation’s first major gun safety legislation in three decades. The Bipartisan Safer Communities Act includes key House proposals to combat gun violence.”