GOP Lawmaker Says Nancy Pelosi ‘More Effective’ House Speaker Than Any Republican This Century

On Dec 10, 2025

Rep. Nancy Mace (R-S.C.) issued shocking praise for fellow short-timer Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) in a New York Times opinion piece Monday.

“Here’s a hard truth Republicans don’t want to hear,” Mace wrote. “Nancy Pelosi was a more effective House speaker than any Republican in this century.”

Read the whole essay at The New York Times.

Given that Pelosi is the only Democratic speaker of the 21st century among five Republicans, that would perhaps mean Mace is effectively calling her the best at the speaker role in this era. Period.

“I agree with her on essentially nothing,” Mace continued. “But she understood something we don’t: No majority is permanent. When Democrats hold the majority, they ram through the most progressive policies they can. They deliver for the coalition that elected them while they are in power.”

“Ms. Pelosi was ruthless, but she got things done,” she added. “Republican leadership seems intent on replicating her model of consolidation without her bold vision to push through the policies that won us the majority.”

Retiring Rep. Nancy Pelosi (above) has perhaps another reason to smile: She has the admiration of Rep Nancy Mace.

Pelosi announced her retirement from Congress last month after decades as one of the most powerful and successful Democrats. She served as speaker from 2007 to 2011 and from 2019 to 2023.

Mace is not expected to pursue another term to run for governor in her home state. But she’ll be departing with Republican bones to pick.

“Today Republicans have a governing trifecta: the House, the Senate and the White House,” Mace wrote. “If we fail to pass legislation that permanently secures the border, addresses the affordability crisis, improves health care and restores law and order, we will lose this majority. And we will deserve it.”

Mace practically gushed over Pelosi's stints as House speaker in a New York Times essay. — Mace practically gushed over Pelosi’s stints as House speaker in a New York Times essay.

Mace noted that current Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) is “better than his predecessor,” which was Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.).

McCarthy hasn’t been feeling much love for Mace either. He recently called her one of the “least respected” and “least ethical” members of Congress. “I want her to get the help she needs,” he told Fox News. “I just don’t want to put her in a position that she makes decisions.”