Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) was elected speaker of the House with 220 votes. Fifteen Democrats did not vote for her. Eight of those who voted against Pelosi were among the 16 Democrats that signed a letter opposing her candidacy on November 19, 2018.

 

Pelosi previously served as speaker of the House from 2007-2011. She is the first and only woman to hold the position.

 

The speaker of the House presides over sessions of the lower chamber and is second in the line of presidential succession.