Jasmine Crockett Eyes Top Democratic Role on House Oversight Committee Amid Stirring Headlines

Rep. Jasmine Crockett of Texas is gunning for the top Democratic seat on the House Oversight Committee, according to several reports. Crockett has been actively seeking backing from her Democratic colleagues, reaching out through calls, texts, and even some good old-fashioned schmoozing on the House floor in hopes of securing the spot currently held by Rep. Gerry Connolly of Virginia.

Connolly is reportedly preparing to step aside as he battles a resurgence of esophageal cancer. While he hasn't officially bowed out yet, the whispers are getting louder. Crockett, not known for shyness, has told her colleagues she’s “made for the moment”—a nod to the Democratic push to go toe-to-toe with former President Donald Trump in the coming months.

Even though there’s not a vacancy yet, Crockett is already raring to go. She texted Politico that, knowing Connolly doesn’t plan to seek re-election, she’s “ready to shine a light on the very dark things taking place in our country under this administration.” Subtlety is clearly not on the menu.

Crockett, a first-term progressive, is no stranger to headlines. She’s caught flak for controversial remarks, including expressing concern for countries affected by potential mass deportations from the U.S.—a stance that drew fire since she’s been relatively quiet on the surge of migrants entering the country under the Biden administration.

On Instagram, where her 1.3 million followers get a front-row seat, Crockett recently declared: “As far as I'm concerned, you randomly kidnapping folk and you throwing them out of the country against their civil rights, against their constitutional rights.” She questioned how Americans would feel if other countries started “randomly” sending people to the U.S., calling the idea “absolutely insane.” Not exactly your standard C-SPAN fare.

Her outrage wasn’t just for show. Crockett blasted Republicans for voting down a budget amendment that would have clarified U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) can’t detain or deport U.S. citizens under any circumstances, referencing a recent case of a U.S. citizen child deported with her noncitizen mother. The Department of Homeland Security clarified the mother chose to take her kids back to Honduras, but the drama was in full swing on the Hill.

Partnering with Reps. Eric Swalwell and Pramila Jayapal, Crockett insisted that Republicans had just “voted to give Trump the legal ability to deport U.S. citizens.” Never one to mince words, she quipped, “Am I telling a lie, Eric, or not?”

It’s not the first time Crockett has made headlines for her barbed comments. In March, she called Texas Governor Greg Abbott—who uses a wheelchair—“Governor Hot Wheels,” a jab she later claimed was misunderstood. She’s also taken aim at Elon Musk and Sen. Ted Cruz, suggesting Cruz should be “knocked over the head, like, hard.”

One thing’s certain: If Crockett gets her shot at the Oversight Committee, Capitol Hill is in for a wild ride. Congressional decorum, meet your new challenger.