In her Time entry, Hillary Clinton praised Speaker Nancy Pelosi for opening “the door for a Congress that’s more diverse than any other in our nation’s history and has some of its youngest members ever.” | Al Drago/Getty Images Congress Hillary Clinton calls Pelosi ‘driving force’ of Democratic Party in Time 100 entry

Hillary Clinton praised House Speaker Nancy Pelosi for leading the Democratic Party to a sweeping victory in the 2018 midterms, applauding her in Time magazine's 2019 list of the world’s most influential people.

“There’s a saying that goes: ‘If you want something done, ask a busy woman to do it,’” Clinton wrote. “Speaker Nancy Pelosi is living proof that when it comes to getting the job done, more often than not, it takes a woman.”


The magazine published its yearly list Wednesday morning, releasing its chronicle of the 100 people it deems “the world’s most influential people” written by their friends, colleagues and celebrity peers.

In her description of Pelosi (D-Calif.), Clinton — a former secretary of State and the first female presidential nominee of a major party — called the speaker a “driving force” in the Democrats’ campaign to retake the House and lauded her ability to spur action in a national political environment often characterized by its stagnation.

“She delivered,” Clinton wrote. “Under her leadership, Democrats passed the first major gun-safety bill in a generation and desperately needed voting-rights legislation. As Democrats continue fighting to protect reproductive rights, pass paid family leave, protect Americans’ right to affordable health care and hold this Administration to account, Nancy is leading the charge.”

Pelosi was the first female speaker of the House when she first took over the gavel in 2007 and worked closely with Clinton’s husband, former President Bill Clinton, while he was in the White House. Pelosi endorsed Clinton in the 2016 primary, though she quietly backed Barack Obama in the race for the Democratic nomination in 2008.

In the Time entry, Clinton praised Pelosi for opening “the door for a Congress that’s more diverse than any other in our nation’s history and has some of its youngest members ever.”

“Never one to back down from a bully, Nancy didn’t mince words during a visit to the White House after the elections,” Clinton wrote. “’Please don’t characterize the strength that I bring to this meeting,’ she said, standing up for herself and millions of Americans.”