Pelosi: ‘We Have Made History, Now Let Us Make Progress’

ABC News’ Teddy Davis Reports: With a healthy dose of references to her "devoutly" Catholic, "deeply" patriotic, and "staunchly" Democratic upbringing, Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) plans to assume the Speaker’s gavel later today with a pledge to seek "common ground for the common good."

"We have made history," the first female U.S. House Speaker plans to say, "now let us make progress for our new America."

On the issue of Iraq, Pelosi plans to interpret the recently completed election as a rejection of "an open-ended obligation to a war without end."

But instead of detailing how the first Democratic House majority in a dozen years plans to use its oversight authority or its power of the purse to influence Iraq policy, the new Speaker plans to put the onus for change on the commander-in-chief.

"It is the responsibility of the President," Pelosi plans to say, "to articulate a new plan for Iraq that makes it clear to the Iraqis that they must defend their own streets and their own security, a plan that promotes stability in the region, and that allows us to responsibly redeploy American forces."

On the domestic front, Pelosi plans to call for strengthening the middle class by making college "affordable," health care "accessible," and retirement "secure." She also will call for combating climate change and promoting domestic sources of renewable energy. And she wants to do all of this while re-implementing pay-as-you-go budget rules that ensure “no new deficit spending.”

"Our new America will provide unlimited opportunity for future generations, not burden them with mountains of debt," Pelosi plans to say.

Pelosi plans to open her remarks by remembering the "character, courage, and civility" of the late Gerald Ford who served in the House before becoming president.

"He healed the country when it needed healing," Pelosi plans to say. "This is another time, another war, and another trial of our American will, imagination, and spirit. Let us honor his memory, not just in eulogy, but in dialogue and trust across the aisle."