During former President Donald Trump's term, Pelosi did not shy away from challenging him, especially during delicate negotiations over legislation. House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, 82, and Democratic Whip James Clyburn, 83, also have faced calls for capping their careers to make way for younger leaders. Democrats appear headed toward losing their House majority, which they have held since 2019, as a result of the Nov. 8 elections. That could open the door to Pelosi serving over the next two years as House Democratic leader if she decided to run for the post and won approval from her fellow Democrats. If Democrats were to end up winning the House and maintain their majority, Pelosi conceivably could run for speaker or retire.

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