Rep. Cori Bush, the St. Louis Democrat who is departing the House after her loss in a closely watched primary, delivered an emotional final speech on the chamber’s floor Thursday.
In her remarks, Bush reflected on her legislative accomplishments, emphasized the message sent by the November elections to her party, and hinted that her political career may not be over, according to Spectrum News, a local outlet. A prominent figure of the Ferguson protest movement, Bush rose to national recognition after defeating longtime incumbent Rep. Lacy Clay in the 2020 Democratic primary for Missouri’s first congressional district, which encompasses the city of St. Louis and parts of St. Louis County. In 2022, she easily overcame State Sen. Steve Roberts in the primary before securing re-election in this Democrat-heavy district, the outlet reported.
During her tenure, Bush became known for her activism and bold stances. She highlighted her efforts in 2021 when she and other advocates camped outside the U.S. Capitol to protest the impending expiration of the eviction moratorium enacted during the COVID-19 pandemic. The demonstration culminated in an agreement to extend the moratorium, showcasing Bush’s commitment to addressing housing insecurity.
An outspoken critic of U.S. foreign policy toward Israel, Bush often drew attention for her progressive positions. Her vote against the 2021 Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill—a key achievement of the Biden administration—was in protest after the administration’s broader “Build Back Better” agenda was significantly pared down. Bush’s stance and policies, however, did not resonate with all voters in her district. She was defeated in the August primary by St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney Wesley Bell, reflecting a shift among constituents weary of her far-left positions.
“When the President asked us to fight for his full economic agenda, I fought. We fought,” Bush declared Thursday, joined by a couple of her fellow ‘Squad’ members in attendance. “But for a few corporate Democrats, the Build Back Better Act would be the law of the land now. We would have stopped talking about rising inflation and instead delivered on universal pre-K and affordable childcare, a permanent monthly child tax credit, paid leave, free school meals, investments in our caregivers, historic funding to build new affordable housing and rehabilitate crumbling housing stock, expanded Medicare benefits, taxes on billionaire corporations and the ultra-wealthy so they can finally pay their fair share, and lastly, removing every lead pipe poisoning our communities.”
Bush continued, “We may have lost that fight, but there must be a reckoning. The November election has shown that we were right to fight with everything we had for Build Back Better. This party must do better.”
Bush’s departure coincides with significant losses among other progressive Democrats. Fellow Squad member Rep. Jamaal Bowman of New York also lost his reelection bid, marking a challenging period for the group. Meanwhile, centrist Democrats have gained influence within the party. In a key vote by the House Democrats’ Steering and Policy Committee last week, centrist Rep. Gerry Connolly of Virginia defeated Squad member and Democratic Socialist Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York in her bid to become the ranking member of the House Oversight Committee. Connolly’s victory, with a 34-27 vote, reflects the party’s pivot toward a more moderate approach.
The New Democrat Coalition, the party’s largest caucus, expressed strong support for Connolly. “New Dems are proud to endorse our colleague, friend, and fellow New Dem Rep. Gerry Connolly for Ranking Member of the House Committee on Oversight and Accountability. Rep. Connolly is a strong and talented communicator and a dedicated workhorse prepared to expertly lead the committee in defending our Democratic priorities and standing up to the Trump administration’s extremist actions. He is the right choice to advance the interests of our full caucus,” the caucus said in a statement.
The coalition’s statement also highlighted Connolly’s extensive experience and ability to counter Republican narratives. “Throughout his sixteen years on the Committee, Rep. Connolly has been a courageous and formidable force fighting against extremist GOP conspiracy theories and advancing thoughtful, commonsense legislation. As we prepare for the new Trump administration and Republican-controlled Congress, the Oversight Committee Democrats will play a critical role in protecting our democratic institutions and pushing back on bad faith actors. We are fully confident that Rep. Connolly will lead the committee with a no-nonsense approach and a steady hand.”
As Bush exits the national stage for now, her legacy as a progressive voice and activist remains impactful. Whether her political journey continues, her time in Congress has undeniably left a mark on the Democratic Party and her constituents.