Pelosi agrees to term limit to seal US House speaker job

WASHINGTON– Veteran Democrat Nancy Pelosi took a step Wednesday toward regaining her old job as powerful speaker of the US House of Representatives. 

She did so by winning over a group of renegades in the chamber with a pledge to serve only until 2022. 
The vote will take place on January 3, when the new House takes power under Democrats who ended Republican control of the chamber in November's mid-term elections. 

The new assortment of lawmakers features more women and minorities and also a slew of younger representatives. 
Pelosi, 78 and considered a master tactician and fund-raiser, held the job of speaker from 2007 to 2011. She was the first woman to do so. 

With a new-look chamber about to get operating, some lawmakers have been complaining for weeks that Pelosi represents the old guard. 

By February 15, Democrats in the House will vote on setting term limits for senior leadership positions, Pelosi said Wednesday. 

"I am comfortable with the proposal and it is my intention to abide by it whether it passes or not," she said in a statement. For her it would mean she could serve as speaker until 2022. 

A half dozen lawmakers who had raised questions about Pelosi getting the job again said later that they would support her now. 

The speaker is second in line to the presidency, after the vice president. If she is confirmed as speaker Pelosi would lead a robust new opposition to President Donald Trump. Republicans still control the Senate. 

The legislature promises to be full of fireworks as seen Tuesday, when what was supposed to be a White House photo opportunity session bringing together Pelosi, Trump and Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer escalated into a feisty exchange on Trump's proposed border wall, as television cameras rolled. 
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