Nancy Pelosi, 84, breaks hip on marble stairs during taxpayer-funded European jaunt.
At a Glance
- Pelosi hospitalized after falling on marble stairs at Luxembourg’s Grand Ducal Palace
- Injury occurred during taxpayer-funded trip to commemorate Battle of the Bulge
- Pelosi unable to attend remaining events, raising questions about elderly politicians’ fitness
- Incident follows recent fall by Sen. Mitch McConnell, spotlighting aging leadership
Another Octogenarian Bites the Dust
Well, folks, it seems our dear Nancy Pelosi has found a new way to make headlines on her European vacation—I mean, “official diplomatic trip.” The 84-year-old former Speaker of the House took a tumble on some fancy marble stairs in Luxembourg, proving once again that gravity doesn’t discriminate based on political affiliation or net worth.
Pelosi was gallivanting around Europe with a bipartisan delegation to mark the 80th anniversary of the Battle of the Bulge. Because nothing says “honoring our veterans” like an all-expenses-paid trip across the pond, right? But instead of battling fascism, Pelosi ended up battling those treacherous marble stairs at the Grand Ducal Palace, resulting in a broken hip and a stay at a Luxembourg hospital.
Pelosi, 84, was in Europe to mark the 80th anniversary of the Battle of the Bulge in World War II. https://t.co/pPIMm05S21
— WUSA9 (@wusa9) December 13, 2024
CODELs: Taxpayer-Funded Vacations for the Political Elite
Now, for those of you wondering what on earth a CODEL is, allow me to enlighten you. It stands for “Congressional Delegation,” which is Washington-speak for “taxpayer-funded vacation.” These trips are often criticized as glorified junkets for our esteemed representatives, who apparently need to jet off to exotic locales to do their jobs effectively.
“While traveling with a bipartisan delegation in Luxembourg to mark the 80th anniversary of the Battle of the Bulge, Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi sustained an injury during an official engagement and was admitted to the hospital for evaluation.” – Pelosi’s staff
Pelosi’s spokesperson, Ian Krager, assured us that she “is currently receiving excellent treatment from doctors and medical professionals.” Well, thank goodness for that. We wouldn’t want anything less than excellent care for our political elites, especially when they’re injured in the line of duty… or should we say, in the line of luxury?
The Geriatric Congress: A Growing Concern
Pelosi’s tumble comes hot on the heels of Senator Mitch McConnell’s recent fall, which also kept him from his important work of obstructing progress. It’s almost as if Mother Nature is trying to tell us something about the wisdom of having octogenarians running our country.
“I’m disappointed Speaker Emerita Pelosi won’t be able to join the rest of our delegation’s events this weekend as I know how much she looked forward to honoring our veterans. But she is strong, and I am confident she will be back on her feet in no time. Praying for a speedy recovery.” – Michael McCaul
Let’s not forget that we currently have six senators and 16 House members in their 80s, with a significant number of septuagenarians keeping those seats warm. The oldest serving politician, Senator Chuck Grassley, is a sprightly 90 years young. It’s like Congress has become a retirement home with better benefits and more power.
The Silver Lining
On the bright side, Pelosi’s unexpected hospital stay means she’ll miss the remainder of the CODEL engagements. Perhaps this will give her time to reflect on the importance of term limits and the benefits of retiring while you can still navigate a flight of stairs without incident.
As we wish Nancy a speedy recovery (and hopefully a swift return to retirement), let’s ponder the state of our aging political class. Maybe it’s time we start asking whether these taxpayer-funded trips are really necessary, or if we might be better served by leaders who don’t remember the Battle of the Bulge firsthand. Just a thought, America.
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