Rep. Nancy Mace (R.S.C.) had striking praise for fellow Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) in a New York Times op-ed on Monday.

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

Read the full essay in The New York Times.

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

“I don’t agree with her on essentially anything,” Mace continued. “But she understood something we didn’t: no majority is permanent. When Democrats have the majority, they impose the most progressive policies they can. They comply with the coalition that elected them while they are in power.”

“Mrs. Pelosi was ruthless, but she got things done,” he added. “Republican leadership seems determined to replicate their consolidation model without their bold vision to advance the policies that won us the majority.”

Outgoing Rep. Nancy Pelosi (above) may have another reason to smile: She has the admiration of Rep. Nancy Mace.
Outgoing Rep. Nancy Pelosi (above) may have another reason to smile: She has the admiration of Rep. Nancy Mace.

Tom Williams via Getty Images

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 seek another term to run for governor in her home state. But she will leave with Republican bones to choose from.

“Today Republicans have a trifecta of government: 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 about Pelosi's terms as House Speaker in a New York Times essay.
Mace practically gushed about Pelosi’s terms as House Speaker in a New York Times essay.

The Island Pack via Getty Images

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

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