On September 8, 83-year-old Nancy Pelosi announced her plan to run for re-election in Congress.
Of course, as many would expect, this news has taken a lot of people by surprise.
In the same tweet from her official campaign account, she emphasized the need for “San Francisco values” and the importance of showcasing American resilience and unity.
Now more than ever our City needs us to advance San Francisco values and further our recovery. Our country needs America to show the world that our flag is still there, with liberty and justice for ALL. That is why I am running for reelection — and respectfully ask for your vote.…
— Nancy Pelosi (@TeamPelosi) September 8, 2023
Nancy Pelosi’s tenure as House Speaker was marked by a great deal of controversy between herself and conservative lawmakers as well as Republican President Donald Trump.
Many have been critical of those in Congress who have overstayed their welcome, including Mitch McConnell, Dianne Feinstein, and now Nancy Pelosi.
As an elderly member of Congress, some constituents have questioned her abilities due to age.
This raises the question: should there be an age limit imposed on federal office holders?
83-year-old ghoul Nancy Pelosi will run for reelection. pic.twitter.com/yhr7xYbzBl
— Citizen Free Press (@CitizenFreePres) September 8, 2023
In recent months, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell has come under fire for episodes that have raised concerns over his fitness for office due to his advanced age.
After McConnell froze in front of cameras twice this year, Republican presidential candidate Nikki Haley derided the Senate as a “privileged nursing home”.
One lawmaker, Representative John James from Michigan, even proposed a constitutional amendment to impose an age limit on running for President, Vice President or either house of Congress – 75 years old or older would not be allowed to run.
The scrutiny surrounding Biden’s own advanced age since taking office has been just as intense – a Wall Street Journal poll found two-thirds of Democrats think he is too old to run again.
Despite this criticism, Speaker Pelosi has backed up Biden by saying that “age is a relative thing” and that he brings a lot of knowledge and experience to the job which our country needs right now.
She also made the point that McConnell isn’t far behind Biden when it comes to age which adds further fuel to this debate.
