US House speaker Nancy Pelosi, who has led Democrats in the US House of Representatives for almost two decades, has announced she is standing down from the role.
She is the most powerful Democrat in Congress and the first woman to serve as speaker of the House, reports BBC.
The 82-year-old lady will continue to represent her California district in the lower chamber of Congress.
The decision comes as Republicans are projected to take back control of the House following the midterm elections.
Republican Kevin McCarthy has won the party's nomination to be speaker in the new Congress and is likely to succeed Pelosi.
In a statement on Thursday, Pelosy said, "I never would have thought that someday I would go from homemaker to House speaker."
"I will not seek re-election to Democratic leadership in the next Congress. The hour has come for a new generation to lead the Democratic caucus," she added. .
Bd-pratidin English/Golam Rosul
