Pelosi to Throw Party for Congress After Last Week's 'Shellacking' of House Dems

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi of California at an election night party. (AP)

Just one week after House Democrats were swept out of power, Speaker Nancy Pelosi is hosting a reception Wednesday "honoring the accomplishments of the 111th Congress."

"Nancy Pelosi Speaker of the United States House of Representatives requests the pleasure of your company at a reception honoring the Accomplishments of the 111th Congress on Wednesday, the tenth day of November, two thousand ten at three thirty in the afternoon Cannon Caucus Room 345 Cannon House Office Building," reads the invitation sent to advocates who worked on the legislative agenda.

"It's just a thank you for the advocates," a spokesman for Pelosi told FoxNews.com, adding that the reception is not for lawmakers. "No taxpayer funds are being spent."

The celebration comes as Democrats wage a battle over leadership positions in the next Congress in which Republicans will control the House and have a larger presence in the Senate.

Pelosi is running for minority leader while outgoing Majority Leader Steny Hoyer and House Minority Whip Jim Clyburn battle for minority whip in the next Congress, which will be the No.2 position for Dems. Usually, leaders take a step down after their party loses power, which would make Clyburn the chairman of the Democratic Caucus.

Pelosi's party could prove awkward as she celebrates, among other accomplishments, the passing of President Obama's health care law that several moderate Democrats had campaigned against.

Democrats also passed other controversial bills such as an overhaul of the financial regulatory system and a massive financial stimulus package that made Pelosi the symbol of government excess.

Many moderate Democrats also have publicly opposed Pelosi's bid to remain in leadership although she is likely to prevail.

Pelosi's reception won't be open to the press and it's not clear whether Democratic lawmakers, especially those who lost last week, will attend.

Republicans recorded their largest gains in the House in more than 70 years by capturing more than 60 seats. They also won six seats in the Senate, leaving Democrats with a slim majority. Obama said he and his party took a "shellacking" at the polls.

Fox News' Chad Pergram contributed to this report.