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Nancy Pelosi

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Nancy Pelosi
House minority leader, U.S.

The congresswoman from California may not seem like a natural choice for this list, given that her job description is representing the Palmetto State's 8th district. But Pelosi is playing a key role in the unfolding negotiations about the looming fiscal cliff. According to reports, she was the only woman in the room during last year's ill-fated debt-ceiling negotiations between her counterpart House Speaker John Boehner and President Obama. And don't forget health care, which accounts for a huge chunk of the U.S. economy. Pelosi played a crucial role in getting Obamacare passed -- a potentially pivotal moment in the economic history of the U.S.

'You Better Werk': Nancy Pelosi Is the Latest Guest Judge on 'RuPaul's Drag Race'

'You better werk.'

'You better werk.'

House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., conducts her weekly news conference in the Capitol Visitor Center on January 11, 2018.

Nancy Pelosi: ‘Five White Guys’ Are Working on Immigration Reform

Another lawmaker called the comment “offensive.”

Another lawmaker called the comment “offensive.”

House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., holds her weekly news conference in the Capitol on Thursday, Sept. 14, 2017.

Nancy Pelosi Epically Shut Down Manterrupters at a White House Dinner on DACA

The House Minority Leader will not be talked over.

The House Minority Leader will not be talked over.

U.S. Sen. Jeff Sessions (R-AL) testifies at a Senate Judiciary Committee confirmation hearing for Sessions to become U.S. Attorney General on Capitol Hill on Jan. 10, 2017.

Nancy Pelosi Calls on Jeff Sessions to Resign After Reports of His Contact with Russia

"Sessions is not fit to serve as the top law enforcement officer of our cou...

"Sessions is not fit to serve as the top law enforcement officer of our country and must resign."

FILE - In this Jan. 11, 2017 file photo, Rep. John Lewis, D-Ga. testifies on Capitol Hill in Washington at the confirmation hearing for Attorney General-designate, Sen. Jeff Sessions, R-Ala., before the Senate Judiciary Committee. Lewis says he’s doesn’t consider Donald Trump a “legitimate president,” blaming the Russians for helping the Republican win the White House. (AP Photo/Cliff Owen, File)

Trump Unleashes Twitter Attack Against Civil Rights Legend

After Lewis questioned the legitimacy of Trump's presidency.

After Lewis questioned the legitimacy of Trump's presidency.

U.S. Senator Chuck Schumer (D-NY) talks to journalist after attending the Senate Democrat party leadership elections at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, DC, U.S. November 16, 2016. REUTERS/Carlos Barria - RTX2TZEA

Inside Democrats’ Plan to Beat Donald Trump at His Own Game

“We’ve got to stand for working people. Working people think we left them,”...

“We’ve got to stand for working people. Working people think we left them,” said Sen. Joe Manchin.

Nancy Pelosi speaks at the U.S. Capitol October 1, 2014 in Washington, D.C.

Nancy Pelosi Beats Tim Ryan in Democratic Party Leader Race

Pelosi has led the party since 2002.

Pelosi has led the party since 2002.