Representative Nancy Pelosi was elected speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives for her fourth term, with a narrower Democratic majority in the chamber and challenges ahead.

“As speaker of the House, it is my great honor to preside over this sacred ritual of renewal, as we gather under the dome of this temple of democracy to begin the 117th Congress”, - Pelosi said after her election. The Democrat from California surpassed the necessary majority of votes Sunday afternoon, with two Democrats voting for other candidates and three more voting present.

The Democrat from California, who has led her party in the House since 2003 and is the only woman to be speaker, received 216 votes, with two Democrats voting for other candidates and three others voting present. A few members were unable to vote because they had tested positive for the coronavirus or had other health problems.