Speaker Pelosi

From where we sit, Nancy Pelosi deserves immense credit and respect for her outstanding achievements as Speaker of the House.

Of all our political leaders, no one has done more over the past two years to advance a progressive agenda that improved Americans’ lives than Speaker Pelosi. No one has done more to champion the interests of young people than Speaker Pelosi. And no one has done more to involve young people in the process of democracy than Speaker Pelosi.

With Speaker Pelosi’s determined leadership, the House passed scores of bills critical to moving America forward. Many became law, including the landmark health care bill, the recovery and reinvestment bill, the legislation to increase student financial aid, the Ledbetter fair pay act, hate crimes legislation, financial reform, and improved services for veterans. Speaker Pelosi pushed other key bills through the House on central issues where the Senate has thus far failed to act – most notably a comprehensive clean energy bill that would address the challenge of global warming and get our country on the path to a clean energy future; and the DISCLOSE Act to increase public scrutiny of political activity by corporations.

In all of this work, Speaker Pelosi recognized the growing political engagement and influence of the millennial generation, and she made sure that young people and youth organizations were at the table – not as mere props for a press conference, but as real partners in getting things done, such as health insurance protections for young adults, and a student loan system that helps students and taxpayers instead of providing wasteful subsidies to big banks. Notably, Speaker Pelosi did not wait until election season to reach out to young people – she worked with young people from day one.

Because of Speaker Pelosi’s courageous leadership, more young people have opportunity – for affordable education, health care, and jobs. Her efforts have also given young people hope that there can be positive change on issues like immigration reform, LGBT rights, and clean energy. We know that Speaker Pelosi will continue to be a strong champion for positive change in our country and for the interests and involvement of young people.

David is the founder and former director of Campus Progress.

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