Pelosi, Hoyer prepare to exit Democratic leadership posts

U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, who became the first woman in history to hold the gavel, shepherding landmark bills across four presidencies, announced Thursday she’ll step aside from leadership though she’ll remain in Congress. Minutes later, Maryland Rep. Steny Hoyer, who has been the second-ranking Democrat in the House since Pelosi assumed the top spot in 2003, announced that he too would be departing from leadership.