INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
elected on Thursday to be new speaker of U.S
House of Representatives as her party took majority control of chamber following its election victory last Nov
6.This marks Pelosi's second stint as speaker
She was first woman ever to hold job, serving from 2007 until 2011, when Republicans began an eight-year run in House majority.Pelosi
received 220 votes for speaker, while Republican Representative Kevin McCarthy got 192 votes
A smattering of others received remaining votes in chamber that holds 435 seats.The election puts Pelosi in position to lead opposition to
President Donald Trump's agenda and to conduct in-depth investigations of his administration following two years during which Republicans
have mainly given him a free pass.Pelosi, 78, was first elected to House in 1987 and has pledged to push legislation that would spark large
federal investments in infrastructure projects that Trump also has expressed an interest in tackling.But Pelosi's Democrats and Trump's
Republicans have taken vastly different approaches to rebuilding nation's bridges, roadways, airports and other public works projects that
also would spark job creation.During last year's congressional campaigns Pelosi also talked about need to improve Congress' ethics rules and
to pass legislation to lessen influence of large corporate donations in congressional elections.Pelosi, a liberal who represents San
Francisco, will lead a House with 235 Democrats, 199 Republicans and one seat in North Carolina still being contested.Besides her
legislative agenda, Pelosi has made clear that House's Democratic-run committees will conduct in-depth oversight of Trump administration
officials and likely would attempt to get president's recent tax returns as part of House investigations into his business dealings.Some of
Pelosi's Democrats already have hinted that these oversight investigations could lead to impeachment proceedings against Trump, depending on
findings of committee hearings and special counsel Robert Mueller's separate findings from his investigation into 2016 presidential election
and Russian interference.As House speaker, Pelosi will set legislative agenda for House, is a leading figure in Democratic Party politics
and is second in line for presidency after Vice President Mike Pence if Trump were to become incapacitated.Republicans maintain control of
Senate by a margin of 53-47 for next two years.(Except for headline, this story has not been edited by TheIndianSubcontinent staff and is
published from a syndicated feed.)
