Post-Pelosi era begins in the House: Washington Photos of the Week

A new era began in the House of Representatives this week with House Democrats electing the next generation of leadership that, for the first time in 20 years, will not include House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA).

Honoring her pledge to retire from leadership, Pelosi, 82, stepped down and backed Rep. Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY), 52, to become the next Democratic leader when the new Congress begins in January. Jeffries made history Wednesday when his colleagues elected him as the first black lawmaker to lead a party in Congress.

Across the Capitol, the Senate made history by passing the Respect for Marriage Act on Tuesday. The bill would provide federal protections for same-sex and interracial marriage. Despite ongoing concerns about religious liberty, 12 Republicans joined with all Democrats in passing the legislation, which heads to the House for a final vote.

SPEAKER SENDOFF: PELOSI GRANTED NEW TITLE AND CAPITOL ROOM

Meanwhile, Sen. Joe Manchin (D-WV) could be on the verge of losing his outsize influence in the Senate. With the Senate split 50-50, Democrats cannot afford to lose Manchin’s vote on anything, which has meant the White House having to bow to the centrist Democrat’s demands for the last two years. Tuesday’s runoff election in Georgia will determine whether Democrats have a 51-seat majority if Sen. Raphael Warnock (D-GA) wins, giving Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) a bit of a cushion.

At the White House, President Joe Biden hosted his first state dinner with French President Emmanuel Macron, with the menu, featuring Maine lobster, drawing criticism, as the sale of lobsters is banned at Whole Foods over risks of whales getting entangled in fishing gear.

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Here’s a look at scenes from around Washington the week of Nov. 28, captured by Washington Examiner photographer Graeme Jennings.

House Democrats elect a new generation of leadership