Latest news with #Oversight
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Lynch, Mfume enter race for top Oversight Committee Dem
Two additional Democrats, Rep. Kweisi Mfume (D-Md.) and Rep. Stephen Lynch (D-Mass.), on Thursday launched their bids for the top Democratic spot on the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee. Mfume, in a letter announcing his candidacy, stated he was 'prepared to meet that moment; as my lifelong friend, successor, and predecessor Elijah Cummings did when he was Oversight Chair under the first twisted Trump administration.' 'The dismantling of our democracy at the hands of the Trump administration and his congressional enablers demands Committee leadership that meets this moment with vigor, experience, principle, and resolve,' Mfume wrote in a 'Dear Colleague' letter. In a letter by Lynch obtained by Punchbowl News, he highlighted his work with the late Rep. Gerry Connolly (D-Va.), who stepped back from his daily responsibilities as ranking member earlier this year due to his battle with cancer. Connolly died earlier this month. 'As we all know, Gerry Connolly was all about the work, and I am honored to have earned his trust and endorsement to continue this important work and lead Oversight Democrats at a moment when our decisions and our actions over the coming months may determine the course of our American experiment,' Lynch said in his letter. He also mentioned his more than two decades of experience on the Oversight Committee, which would make him 'well-prepared to manage an extremely talented group of Oversight Democrats as we fight like hell against every action taken by the Trump Administration to curtail individual rights, dismantle our democratic institutions and unload the costs of reckless economic plans onto the backs of America's workers and vulnerable communities.' Earlier on Thursday, Rep. Robert Garcia (D-Calif.) was the first Democrat to officially announce his candidacy. 'From the Trump administration's attacks on the rule of law, weaponizing the government against its critics, and decimating the services our constituents rely upon–there is a clear and immediate threat to our democracy,' Garcia wrote in a 'Dear Colleague' letter. 'As citizens, patriots, and members of Congress, we must organize, fight back, and defend the principles of freedom, equality, and justice. I'm ready to help lead that fight.' Both Mfume, 76, and Lynch, 70, had voiced interest in the role before announcing their bids. Rep. Jasmine Crockett (D-Texas), 44, has also expressed interest. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.), who lost her bid for the position to Connolly late last year, passed on running earlier this month. The House Democratic Caucus is slated to hold the election for the ranking member position on June 24. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
The Hill
3 days ago
- Politics
- The Hill
Lynch, Mfume enter race for top Oversight Committee Dem
Two additional Democrats, Rep. Kweisi Mfume (D-Md.) and Rep. Stephen Lynch (D-Mass.), on Thursday launched their bids for the top Democratic spot on the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee. Mfume, in a letter announcing his candidacy, stated he was 'prepared to meet that moment; as my lifelong friend, successor, and predecessor Elijah Cummings did when he was Oversight Chair under the first twisted Trump administration.' 'The dismantling of our democracy at the hands of the Trump administration and his congressional enablers demands Committee leadership that meets this moment with vigor, experience, principle, and resolve,' Mfume wrote in a 'Dear Colleague' letter. In a letter by Lynch obtained by Punchbowl News, he highlighted his work with the late Rep. Gerry Connolly (D-Va.), who stepped back from his daily responsibilities as ranking member earlier this year due to his battle with cancer. Connolly died earlier this month. 'As we all know, Gerry Connolly was all about the work, and I am honored to have earned his trust and endorsement to continue this important work and lead Oversight Democrats at a moment when our decisions and our actions over the coming months may determine the course of our American experiment,' Lynch said in his letter. He also mentioned his more than two decades of experience on the Oversight Committee, which would make him 'well-prepared to manage an extremely talented group of Oversight Democrats as we fight like hell against every action taken by the Trump Administration to curtail individual rights, dismantle our democratic institutions and unload the costs of reckless economic plans onto the backs of America's workers and vulnerable communities.' Earlier on Thursday, Rep. Robert Garcia (D-Calif.) was the first Democrat to officially announce his candidacy. 'From the Trump administration's attacks on the rule of law, weaponizing the government against its critics, and decimating the services our constituents rely upon–there is a clear and immediate threat to our democracy,' Garcia wrote in a 'Dear Colleague' letter. 'As citizens, patriots, and members of Congress, we must organize, fight back, and defend the principles of freedom, equality, and justice. I'm ready to help lead that fight.' Both Mfume, 77, and Lynch, 70, had voiced interest in the role before announcing their bids. Rep. Jasmine Crockett (D-Texas), 44, has also expressed interest. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.), who lost her bid for the position to Connolly late last year, passed on running earlier this month. The House Democratic Caucus is slated to hold the election for the ranking member position on June 24.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Rep. Kweisi Mfume vying for key congressional role: Why it matters
WASHINGTON — Democrats have a sudden vacancy in a visible committee role. Rep. Kweisi Mfume is in the race to fill it. A number of lawmakers are campaigning to become the Democratic leader of the House Oversight Committee. Among them is Mfume, a Baltimore Democrat. Whoever wins will be the chief Democrat on a committee vital to the party's messaging while it's in the minority. It frequently serves as their congressional microphone. Members use hearings to target President Donald Trump and his administration at large. In 2019, the committee played a leading role in the investigation into Trump's involvement with Ukraine. Recently, they've targeted Trump's plan to receive a passenger jet from Qatar and his cryptocurrency business ventures. House Democrats have little ability to disrupt legislation being passed by their Republican colleagues. Since their hands are tied on policy, Mfume has advocated for Democrats to publicly resist Trump's administration, hoping rallies and demonstrations will help the party regain favor with voters. 'We just have to have good ol' plain resistance by speaking out and making people understand what is going on,' Mfume told The Sun earlier in May. Mfume previously called for Trump to be arrested, citing an 'assault on the Constitution.' Whoever is elected would replace the recently deceased Rep. Gerry Connolly, a Virginia Democrat. Connolly passed away last week. He died after a recurrence of esophageal cancer. His funeral was on Tuesday. Four members are seeking the role. Apart from Mfume, Reps. Robert Garcia of California, Jasmine Crockett of Texas, and Stephen Lynch of Massachusetts are involved. Lynch has led the committee in an unofficial capacity since Connolly's abrupt announcement on April 28 that he would step down. The lamentable cause of the vacancy has affected the campaign for the position. Some members have been more open about their aspirations. Others, including Mfume, have been quieter about their interest. But all have begun to approach their colleagues with entreaties for support. Mfume's office declined to comment on Wednesday. Mfume has mentioned following in the footsteps of the late Elijah Cummings, a Baltimorean who served as Oversight chair during Trump's first administration, according to Politico. Cummings helped lead the impeachment inquiry into Trump during his first term. He replaced Mfume after Mfume left to lead the NAACP in 1996. Mfume won the seat after Cummings passed away in 2019. The pair were close friends. The four candidates for Oversight this year are in a clash between old guard Democrats and a new generation of progressives. Mfume, 76, was first elected to Congress in 1986. He left office in 1996 to lead the NAACP, then returned to Congress in 2020. Lynch, 70, was elected in a special election in 2001. Garcia, 47, and Crockett, 44, sharply contrast the senior pair in both age and experience. Garcia was elected in 2022. Crockett was elected in 2020. Oversight holds a unique place among the congressional committees. Most committees deal with important but sleepy issues that sink into the depths of policy. Oversight excels at the opposite. For some time, the committee has served a multipurpose role for both parties. Officially, it's the congressional avenue for certain investigations, like the Republican probe into Hunter Biden. Unofficially, it's a key tool that both parties use to stir up their base voters. It's also an ideal spot to stash certain bombastic members — the ones known more for TV hits and high fundraising totals than for crafting serious legislation. It's become a haven for the socially active in recent years. Members gain fame and infamy alike from viral clips of outbursts, insults and arguments. With Democrats in the minority, the committee is an ideal place to hone the party's message ahead of the 2026 midterm elections. Mfume was placed on the Oversight Committee after his election in 2020. The Democratic conference will choose the ranking member by secret ballot on June 24. The race comes as the party continues to face a reckoning over age. Three Democratic House members have died since March: Reps. Sylvester Turner of Texas, Raul Grijalva of Arizona, and Connolly. Each was at least 70 years old. Former President Joe Biden's cancer diagnosis, along with a book about his time in the White House, has also triggered renewed questions about the party's aging leaders. ------------
Yahoo
21-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Virginia Rep. Gerry Connolly dies nearly month after announcing plans to step down
FAIRFAX COUNTY, Va. (DC News Now) — Rep. Gerald 'Gerry' Connolly (D-Va.) has died less than a month after announcing plans to step down from his position for health reasons. He was 75. Connolly to step out of top Democratic spot on Oversight panel, citing health Connolly's family released a statement Wednesday morning following his death. 'It is with immense sadness that we share that our devoted and loving father, husband, brother, friend, and public servant, Congressman Gerald E. Connolly, passed away peacefully at his home this morning surrounded by family,' the letter reads in part. The former Democrat and Virginia representative announced back on April 28 that he planned to step down from public service following the conclusion of his term in Congress, citing a return of esophageal cancer he's been battling since late last year. Connolly represented part of Northern Virginia. 'I cannot imagine the House without Gerry': Lawmakers react after Virginia Rep. Connolly says he wont seek reelection, citing health The statement from his family commemorated his time served in a government office. 'Gerry lived his life to give back to others and make our community better,' it reads in part. 'He looked out for the disadvantaged and voiceless. He always stood up for what is right and just.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
India Today
21-05-2025
- Politics
- India Today
Nancy Mace shows nude photo during House hearing, calls ex-fiancé ‘rapist'
In an emotional moment during a House Oversight subcommittee hearing on Tuesday, Republican Representative Nancy Mace of South Carolina displayed what she said was a nude photo of herself, allegedly taken without her consent by her ex-fiance, Patrick men guard a woman's privacy; predators harvest my Oversight hearing today I'm going to expose predator and rapist Patrick Bryant for the monster he is. With evidence. Naked bodies. Legs spread apart. Upskirt photos. The kinds of things he would film and photograph Rep. Nancy Mace (@RepNancyMace) May 20, 2025advertisementThe hearing, focused on 'surveillance in private spaces,' took a personal turn as Mace recounted her experience as a victim of what she described as non-consensual filming and sex crimes.'Today I will show my naked body on one of the videos predator and rapist Patrick Bryant took of me and many other women,' Mace declared in a post on X (formerly Twitter) just before the hearing. 'Without our knowledge. Without our permission. And without our consent.' During her remarks, Mace accused Bryant of secretly recording her during intimate moments, a charge he has vehemently denied. In a statement released Tuesday, Bryant called the claims 'false and outrageous,' saying he 'categorically denies' any wrongdoing and will 'take additional steps to clear [his] name at the right time.''If she believed them to be true and there was evidence to support her accusations, she would say them outside the chamber, away from her public role and protections, and pursue them through proper legal channels," he South Carolina Republican has previously spoken out about being a rape survivor and used Tuesday's hearing to amplify her call for stronger privacy protections and accountability for those who exploit private moments without also publicly named three other men, accusing them of rape, sex trafficking, and recording sexual acts without consent involving her and other Reel
