Rep. Jasmine Crockett (D-Texas) has publicly criticized the Democratic Party’s reliance on seniority in selecting committee leadership, arguing that the system may not prioritize the most capable leaders for critical roles.
Speaking on MSNBC, Crockett highlighted the decision to choose Rep. Gerry Connolly (D-Va.) over Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) as the top Democrat on the House Oversight and Accountability Committee in the upcoming Congress.
“While I think both are absolutely qualified, I do think that within the Democratic Caucus, we are really stuck in our old ways of doing things, which is you get there by seniority,” Crockett said. “And so, if you’ve been there longer, you get the post. I don’t think we fully sit there and say, ‘Who may be best equipped for this moment?’”
Connolly Wins Committee Leadership Role
Connolly’s selection for the role followed a vote by the Democratic Steering and Policy Committee, chaired by House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.), which recommended him for the position.
His candidacy was further bolstered by the endorsement of former Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.), who actively lobbied on his behalf.
The decision to appoint Connolly, who represents Virginia, was seen as the expected outcome. However, Crockett suggested that voters within the Democratic base are seeking a shift in leadership dynamics.
“I think they are saying, ‘We are looking towards y’all to show us that you’re willing to shake it up if it means we can move this country forward,’” Crockett remarked.
Call for Time Limits on Leadership Roles
During the interview, Crockett proposed adopting time limits for committee leadership positions, similar to the rules observed by the Republican Conference.
GOP rules limit chairs and ranking members to three consecutive terms, fostering more frequent changes in leadership.
“I think that within the caucus we will have some conversations about how we do leadership,” Crockett said. “On the Republican side, they have term limits, so you can’t sit in those posts very long. They end up shipping out their leadership a lot more frequently than we do on the Democratic side.”
Looking Ahead
Crockett’s comments add to the ongoing debate within the Democratic Party over the balance between tradition and innovation in leadership selection.
As Democrats navigate a politically divided Congress, the question remains whether the party will embrace structural changes to reflect the evolving expectations of its voters.
