Nancy Pelosi announced she will step down as House Democratic leader, ending her history-making tenure as the first woman to serve as speaker and opening the way for a generational change in her party¡¯s congressional leadership.

¡°I will not seek re-election to Democratic leadership in the next Congress,¡± Pelosi said Thursday on the House floor. ¡°The hour¡¯s come for a new generation to lead the Democratic caucus that I so deeply respect.¡±

She said she plans to remain in the House representing her San Francisco district.