Jasmine Crockett and the Changing Dynamics of the Oversight Committee

And just like that, DC Democrats proved that the party has a problem. 

How ironic is it that Jasmine Crockett’s “aggressive style” is fine and dandy when it comes to her putting herself on the line to push back against the evils of the current administration, but “too much” when it comes to considering a committee leader? 

Never mind that much of the damage to Biden occurred due to weak minority leadership in multiple Congressional committee hearings, where Republicans were given the freedom to construct narratives on the fly literally. That’s what they were doing the day that Jasmine became a legend, waving around that now-infamous photo of the “rhymes-with-twitter” in Mar-a-lago. Reminding the world that Republicans wouldn’t even acknowledge the literal stacks of stolen materials. All while acting as if the few items found by Joe’s lawyers in his garage and immediately turned in amounted to an indictable scandal.

But this is a problem that has been brewing for a while, and it is multi-demographic: not just race, age, and gender, but also North versus South. Even California versus Texas.  

Crockett, 44, was mainly viewed as being pitted against the 47-year-old Representative from California, Robert Garcia. However, there were two additional contenders for the leadership position, 70-year-old Massachusetts Rep. Stephen Lynch and the perpetual proof that “Black don’t crack,” 76-year-old Kweisi Mfume from Maryland, who also dropped his bid before the caucus vote. 

In the end, voters chose Rep. Garcia over Lynch to be the newest Ranking Member on the Oversight Committee, winning one for the younger generation, but at the expense of one of the most dynamic communicators to ever grace the halls of Congress. 

At least for now. 

It seems to be destined that Black women will continue to take hits for being savvy. At this point, “The 92%” are looking downright prophetic. When we decided to observe and discuss, we knew we would be criticized, but now we’ve discovered that our actual stance never mattered to our critics. On one hand, Black women have been criticized for NOT joining other fights, and on the other hand, like in Rep. Crockett’s case, she’s being criticized because she continues to fight. 

And it is all because she dared to call Greg Abbott “Hot Wheels.” Which makes me laugh, because I suspect that Abbott would pay Lt. Governor Dan Patrick to just refer to him as “Hot Wheels” right about now. Seriously. Because Mad Dan is this close to calling Abbott a drug dealer. So, if it is not about our stance, it can only be our presence they find objectionable. 

That’s why parts of social media carved out time to criticize Kamala Harris on the occasion of Trump bombing Iranian sites without Congressional approval, but after practically teasing that “something big” was coming. There was the “Kamala would’ve done the same thing” crowd, as if she would have engaged in such performative nonsense after four years of NOT doing so. Then there were the perpetual navel gazers, still trying to convince folks that she would have won had she said this One Thing. Only to get angry when you show them evidence that she did say that thing. They just refused to listen. That’s why we’re in this mess. 

But, it is what it is. Congratulations to Rep. Garcia. I am sure that he will do a fine job. 

Meanwhile, there is little doubt that Jasmine Crockett’s Time Will Come. And when it does, she’ll be ready.