House Democrats move to oust aging committee leaders
washington — A group of House Democrats are seeking to oust some aging committee leaders after disappointing defeats in November elections that would have given Republicans control of the White House and Congress in January.
Democrats are trying to replace veteran members of at least three key panels — the House Judiciary Committee, the House Agriculture Committee and the House Natural Resources Committee — with younger leaders in the next Congress. Candidates for these offices emphasize the need to be able to effectively stand up to President-elect Donald Trump and Republicans in Congress.
The effort comes amid a years-long push within the Democratic Party for older leaders to pass the torch to younger generations, and comes as some accuse President Joe Biden, 82, of delaying his exit from the 2024 race.
Rep. Jamie Raskin of Maryland, who turns 62 next week, is seeking the top job on the Judiciary Committee, which would oust longtime leader Rep. Jerry Nadler of New York ). The 77-year-old has been the committee’s Democratic leader since 2017.
If Raskin’s challenge is successful, a vacancy will open on the House Oversight Committee. Raskin is currently the top Democratic leader on the panel, with 35-year-old New York Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez seen as a potential replacement.
Reps. Jim Costa of California and Angie Craig of Minnesota are both vying for the top job on the House Agriculture Committee, which would oust a man who is nearly 80 years old and suffers from a series of serious health problems. Georgia Rep. David Scott asked. question.
Costa, 72, and Craig, 52, sent letters to colleagues this week announcing their candidates for the important task. Costa said Democrats need a leader who can “bring a strong Democratic message back to rural America.” Craig endorsed her narrow victory in the hotly contested district, noting that she won by 13.5% this election cycle.
“I’m most proud of the fact that I outperformed most rural districts and towns. I showed up and listened to everyone, whether they agreed with me or not,” she wrote.
Arizona Rep. Raúl Grijalva, the top Democrat on the House Natural Resources Committee, said he will not sit down next year after being challenged by Rep. Jared Huffman, D-Calif. The position was sought again. Grijalva, 76, had been battling lung cancer.
“House Democrats are the most important bulwark against the coming assault on our fundamental rights, democratic institutions, public lands, frontline and indigenous communities, and the livability of our planet,” Huffman, 60, wrote. said, “Effective committee work led by the input of our ranking members will be critical to limiting the damage to Trump’s agenda and enabling Democrats to regain the majority within two years.
