White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki holds a press briefing, Thursday, September 30, 2021, in the James S. Brady Press Briefing Room of the White House. (Official White House Photo by Cameron Smith)
Sarah Burris is a long-time veteran of political campaigns, having worked as a fundraiser and media director across the United States. She transitioned into reporting while working for Rock the Vote, Future Majority and Wiretap Magazine, covering the Millennial Generation's perspective during the presidential elections. As a political writer, Burris has had bylines at CNN, Salon.com, BNR, and AlterNet and serves as a senior digital editor for RawStory.com.
The young and popular lawmaker ran for the top spot on the House Reform and Oversight Committee but lost the post to Rep. Gerry Connolly (D-VA). Ocasio-Cortez accepted the loss and hugged her colleague after the vote. She made it clear that she would remain on the committee and likely bring the same efforts she brought during the 118th Congress.
"Why does that matter?" Psaki said to put AOC at the top spot.
"This is one of the few committees in Congress that actually generates national attention or media coverage," she continued. "Under Jamie Raskin, it became a critical platform for countering Republican misinformation. 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, a Maryland Democrat, will leave the Oversight leadership to become the ranking member on the House Judiciary Committee.
"Instead, Democrats passed over one of the youngest, most media-savvy members of Congress for a key public leadership role," said Psaki.
In retelling the comments, Fox News pointed to Biden's opponent and outgoing Congressman Dean Phillips (D-MN), who criticized the party for not embracing the 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," he said.
Retiring Rep. Annie Custer made a similar point, 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."
