Nancy Pelosi to Retire, Closing a Historic Chapter in American Politics

Hadisur Rahman, JadeTimes Staff

H. Rahman is a Jadetimes news reporter covering the USA

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Image Source: Eric Luse/The San Francisco Chronicle/Getty Images

Nancy Pelosi, the first woman to serve as Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives and one of the most powerful lawmakers in modern history, announced Thursday that she will retire from Congress after nearly four decades of service. The decision comes two years after she stepped down from party leadership, marking the end of an era for Democratic politics.

Pelosi, 85, leaves behind a legacy defined by landmark legislation, fierce partisanship, and a groundbreaking ascent to power. Representing San Francisco since 1987, she was at the center of some of the most consequential moments in recent American history, helping steer the Affordable Care Act under President Barack Obama and major climate and infrastructure bills under President Joe Biden.

“I was able to represent our city and our country around the world with patriotism and pride,” Pelosi said in a farewell video. “There has been no greater honor for me than to stand on the House floor and say, ‘I speak for the people of San Francisco.’”

Even in her later years, Pelosi remained a formidable influence within the Democratic Party, advising colleagues through political upheaval and urging Biden to withdraw from the 2024 presidential race. Her retirement underscores a generational shift within the party as several senior Democrats, including longtime allies, also prepare to step aside.

Pelosi’s departure opens a rare contest for her coveted San Francisco seat. State Senator Scott Wiener and former congressional aide Saikat Chakrabarti have already announced campaigns, signaling an intense primary ahead.

Throughout her career, Pelosi combined sharp political instincts with unyielding discipline, guiding Democrats through the Iraq War debates, financial crises, and two impeachments of Donald Trump. To supporters, she was a master legislator who shattered political barriers for women. To critics, she became a symbol of Washington’s entrenched liberal elite.

Her retirement closes a defining chapter in congressional history, leaving an indelible mark on American politics and the generations of women who followed her path to power.

Trump Signs Bill Reopening Government as 43-Day Shutdown Ends

Hadisur Rahman, JadeTimes Staff

H. Rahman is a Jadetimes news reporter covering the USA

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Image Source: Win McNamee/Getty Images

President Donald Trump on Wednesday night signed into law legislation that reopens the federal government and ends the longest shutdown in American history, a 43-day stalemate that disrupted services and left hundreds of thousands of federal workers unpaid.

The move followed House passage of the spending measure by a 222-209 vote, with six Democrats joining nearly all Republicans in approving the package. Two Republicans voted against the bill. The Senate had advanced the same legislation earlier in the week, with eight Democrats crossing party lines to break a filibuster and end the shutdown. In a White House address, Trump attributed the stalemate to Democrats, urging Americans not to forget who he said bore responsibility as the midterms approach.

Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., led the Republican-controlled House back into session for the first time since Sept. 19, calling the moment a relief while directing sharp criticism at Democrats for what he described as a futile and costly paralysis. He highlighted the impact on families, travel, and federal workers awaiting pay.

The package funds the government through Sept. 30, 2024, in a three-bill “minibus” and maintains current funding levels through Jan. 30. It includes full funding for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), shielding more than 40 million Americans who rely on food assistance through September. The bill also provides back pay and preserves federal employee positions through January, addressing furloughs and other disruptions from the shutdown.

A notable concession to Democrats is the absence of an extension for enhanced ACA subsidies beyond 2025, a point of contention that could affect premiums for more than 20 million Americans next year. Senate Republican leaders signaled plans for a separate ACA funding vote, though House leadership did not guarantee a correspondent action.

Among lawmakers, the debate underscored tensions over health care funding and affordability. Progressive voices criticized the deal, while Republicans framed the agreement as a necessary step to stabilize government operations and avoid a broader fiscal crisis.

As the administration braces for ongoing policy fights ahead of the midterms, Democrats argued the shutdown crystallized the distinction between their push to lower costs and Republican fiscal choices, a message Democrats say will energize their base in 2026.

Sabah 40% Revenue Share: Political Calculus Behind Federal Non-Appeal

Hadisur Rahman, JadeTimes Staff

H. Rahman is a Jadetimes news reporter covering Asia

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Image Source: Facebook/Anwar Ibrahim

The Malaysian federal government’s decision not to appeal a Kota Kinabalu High Court ruling on Sabah’s 40% revenue share is being portrayed by analysts as a calculated move to cool political tensions ahead of the Nov. 29 Sabah state election. The move aims to present Putrajaya as a government serious about Sabah’s interests, potentially boosting coalition partners’ prospects in the vote.

Observers say Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim hopes a Sabah-friendly state government can be established through negotiations on the 40% special grant entitlement, a longstanding point of contention between the federal government and Sabah. The Federal Constitution entitles Sabah to a 40% share of net federal revenue generated within the state, but the court found the current arrangements to be illegal, ultra vires, and irrational, ordering negotiations to settle the figure for each financial year from 1974 to 2021 within 180 days.

The government’s stance has intensified political speculation in a state long seeking greater autonomy and a bigger say in revenue distribution. Analysts suggest that non-appeal messaging allows Peninsular-based parties competing in Sabah to frame themselves as reliable advocates for the state’s rights, potentially diminishing momentum for opposition or nationalist critiques.

However, some experts warn that the government’s strategy may be double-edged. While it signals commitment to Sabah, it also leaves open the possibility of appealing defects in the judgment, a move that could provide more time for negotiations but risk fueling further discontent if settlement terms appear insufficient or delayed.

Universiti Malaysia Sabah analysts note that campaigns are already using the 40% issue as a proxy for broader autonomy and fiscal fairness. Nomination day is approaching, and campaigning is set to intensify as parties vie for votes by portraying themselves as champions of Sabah’s economic future and constitutional rights.

As negotiations begin, all eyes will remain on how the federal government balances constitutional obligations with political realities on the ground in Sabah.