Jen Psaki, former press secretary for President Joe Biden, is urging Democrats to reconsider their approach to leadership after the party passed over Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) for a top position. Psaki believes the party missed a significant opportunity by not elevating the popular young lawmaker, who recently ran for the chairmanship of the House Reform and Oversight Committee but lost to Rep. Gerry Connolly (D-VA).
Ocasio-Cortez, accepting her defeat gracefully, hugged Connolly after the vote and made it clear she would continue her work on the committee, likely bringing the same energy and commitment she demonstrated during the 118th Congress. Despite the setback, she remains focused on her role and her constituents.
Psaki, however, highlighted the missed potential of not placing Ocasio-Cortez in a leadership role, saying, “Why does that matter?” She pointed out the strategic importance of the committee, noting, “This is one of the few committees in Congress that actually generates national attention or media coverage.”
She cited how under Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-MD), the committee became a crucial platform for countering Republican misinformation. Psaki added, “And while I have deep, deep respect for Speaker Pelosi… and nothing against Congressman Connolly at all, this felt like an obvious chance to apply some of the lessons we should’ve learned from the November election.”
Raskin is moving to the House Judiciary Committee, which leaves the Oversight Committee position open. Psaki expressed her disappointment that Democrats passed over one of the youngest and most media-savvy members of Congress. “Instead, Democrats passed over one of the youngest, most media-savvy members of Congress for a key public leadership role,” Psaki said.
Fox News noted that outgoing Congressman Dean Phillips (D-MN), who is also a Biden opponent, criticized the Democratic Party for not embracing younger talent. “It is time to elevate the best and brightest. We have literally kept them from ascending to leadership positions, which means they go elsewhere. And when we lose that kind of talent of ambitious, competent, patriotic young Americans, we’re in trouble,” Phillips remarked.
Retiring Rep. Annie Custer echoed these concerns, telling Politico, “I think we, as Democrats, could do a better job with elevating some of our younger members who have great experience. And [you should] not have to be in Congress for 30 years before you can have a meaningful role in leadership and on policy.”