Young House Democrats demanded what Axios called an "age reckoning" on Thursday after a third Democrat died while in office, with some remarking that President Donald Trump's "Big, Beautiful Bill" passed through the chamber this week, and the "difference is the number of members who passed away."
Rep. Sylvester Turner (D-TX), 70, Rep. Raúl Grijalva (D-AZ), 77, and Rep. Gerry Connolly (D-VA), 75, all died since March, the latest being Connolly, who died Wednesday and was the top Democrat on the House Oversight Committee. Eight Democrats have died since November 2022, according to Axios.
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Young Democrats demanded their older counterparts take note — and make moves, according to the report. The party's age was "keenly felt" on Thursday as House Republicans passed their controversial tax bill by just one vote, the report said.
Several Democrats pointed to the vacancies created by the deaths as a factor.
"You see where we are, we can't afford to lose anymore members. ... We're down three people because they passed away," one lawmaker told Axios as the House voted on the bill.
Another told the outlet: "The tragic reality is, when ... this vote passes and the difference is the number of members who passed away this Congress, I think it's going to really infuriate many of our supporters."
"Some folks have given their life to this place, and we're so grateful and commend them for it — you don't have to die in this place," the first House Democrat said.
Another Democrat told the outlet, "we just look so f---ing out of touch," with yet another saying they think they can "force a conversation."