A trio of vocally pro-Israel House Democrats were given powerful posts on the House Foreign Affairs Committee on Tuesday, with one taking the reins of the subcommittee that oversees U.S.-Middle East policy. Why it matters: It is a substantial win for the party's pro-Israel wing despite growing pro-Palestinian sentiment among the party's grassroots. - And it could have global ramifications, with Rep. Jared Moskowitz (D-Fla.) indicating that, if he becomes chair of the Middle East and North Africa subcommittee next year, he will use the position to shore up U.S. support for Israel. - "If Democrats take control of the House, I'll be in a position to help steer U.S. policy on Israel and the Middle East," he told Axios. Driving the news: In…
Rep. Wesley Bell (D-Mo.) defeated former Rep. Cori Bush in his primary on Tuesday, thwarting an attempt by left-wing groups, including the Democratic Socialists of America, to avenge Bush's 2024 loss. Why it matters: It's a win for the Democratic establishment in an election cycle where triumphs against left-wing insurgents have been few and far between. - Bell's win was propelled in part by United Democracy Project, the super PAC arm of AIPAC, which spent more than $3 million to thwart Bush's comeback , according to Federal Election Commission filings. - Bell was also endorsed by House Democratic leadership and the Congressional Black Caucus, while Bush had the backing of Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) and left-wing groups such as DSA and…
Rep. Wesley Bell and former Rep. Cori Bush square off Tuesday in a Missouri congressional rematch that has become a proxy fight over Israel, AIPAC money, and the Democratic Party's ideological future. The Aug. 4 primary in Missouri's 1st Congressional District, a deep blue seat covering St. Louis and its northern suburbs, pits two Black […] The post Wesley Bell and Cori Bush face off again in Missouri primary defined by Democratic infighting appeared first on American Almanac .
Rep. Wesley Bell and former Rep. Cori Bush square off Tuesday in a Missouri congressional rematch that has become a proxy fight over Israel, AIPAC money, and the Democratic Party's ideological future. The Aug. 4 primary in Missouri's 1st Congressional District, a deep blue seat covering St. Louis and its northern suburbs, pits two Black Democrats who both rose to prominence during the Ferguson protests against each other for the second time in two years. Bell, 51, beat Bush, 50, by roughly six points in 2024. Limited polling in the current race shows a statistical tie. Both candidates carry baggage into the rematch. Bush faces a Department of Justice investigation into alleged use of campaign funds to pay her husband for security work,…Open
AIPAC hoped they had ended former Rep. Cori Bush 's political career for good when they helped oust her two years ago. Now they're spending big to stop her attempted comeback. Why it matters: The left has high hopes that Bush can prevail in her rematch against Rep. Wesley Bell this cycle by riding the wave of anti-establishment energy coursing through the Democratic primary electorate. - "Since they bought this seat last cycle, AIPAC has become a kiss of death to the politicians they support," said Usamah Andrabi, a spokesperson for the left-wing group Justice Democrats, which is supporting Bush. - Bush, he told Axios, is "the model for so many candidates this cycle of exactly the type of fighter against the corporate establishment that…
Former Rep. Cori Bush (D-Mo.), in an interview with Axios on Friday, declined to commit to voting for House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) as speaker if she wins back her old House seat. Why it matters: Bush joins dozens of candidate s — particularly Democratic Socialists of America members and their allies — who are stopping short of committing to a Jeffries speakership. - Even Congress' most left-wing members have told Axios they expect Jeffries to get the speaker's gavel if Democrats take the majority — mainly because nobody in the caucus would dare challenge him. - But many progressives vying for House seats have said they are not satisfied with Jeffries' leadership and signaled that, at the very least, they are not…
Thursday, a longtime assistant to Jeffrey Epstein offered up three new names tied to the convicted sex offender in a closed-door deposition with the House Oversight Committee. Who is the politician, and who are the two celebrities she claims were guilty of sexual misconduct? Missouri Democratic Rep. Wesley Bell and attorney Arick Fudali, who represents 11 Epstein survivors, join Chris Cuomo to discuss. The Trump administration believes there is rampant fraud across the country and has targeted Minnesota. Thursday, the U.S. Department of Justice announced criminal charges against 15 people in an alleged $90 million Medicaid fraud scheme. The person described as the “mastermind” behind the largest fraud case in Minnesota history is Aimee…
