Rep. David Scott (D-Ga.) skipped a meeting with the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) on Wednesday as the race for the top Democratic seat on the House Agriculture Committee intensifies. The move irritated some CBC members who are scrutinizing the Democratic seat on the House Agriculture Committee. various candidates.
Mr. Scott is currently the ranking member of the powerful committee, but two younger Democrats, Rep. Jim Costa (D-Calif.) and Rep. Angie Craig (D-Minnesota), are vying for the seat in the next Congress. are.
CBC had invited all three candidates to meet with the group on Wednesday. Costa and Craig attended, but Scott did not.
Rep. Bennie Thompson (D-Mississippi) said Scott, who is also a member of the CBC, would have been a favorite to fill the position based on seniority, at least in the eyes of the CBC, but Scott's absence said there was a possibility. Encourage group members to reconsider.
“Obviously, it would have been easier if David had chosen to participate. He's there. But you have to participate. … And if you choose a different path to participate, That can come back to haunt you,” Thompson said.
“It was a lot of concern and support,” Thompson continued. “But I don't think it would have been a problem if he had decided to come. [Scott’s absence] It gives people a reason to do something else. ”
Scott's office did not respond to a request for comment Wednesday evening.
The race is heating up, with Democrats newly weighing in on a long-running debate over how much weight should be given to seniority in determining top committee positions. The CBC has long been an ardent supporter of the idea of seniority, arguing that the system has given overdue power to minority members who were denied that power for most of the country's history.
However, they have softened their position in recent cycles. And CBC leaders stressed last week that while seniority should be a major factor in selecting commissioner positions, it shouldn't be the only factor.
“Incompetent or incompetent seniority is difficult,” said Rep. Troy Carter (D-Louisiana). “So we're definitely going to respect seniority, but we want the best people to serve.”
Craig was quick to acknowledge the importance of honoring experiences, especially when it helps to right a long history of racial injustice. She noted that she was one of Scott's most vocal supporters on the Agriculture Committee when he took over the top position in 2020.
But Craig also said there is a time for a changing of the guard, and for the Agriculture Commissioner, now is the time.
“I respect seniority in our system. Historically, that has led to a lot of underrepresented people reaching the chairman position. Certainly David Scott is the most senior. , and I supported him,” Craig said.
“But I also believe that there are moments when we realize that our party and our system needs a new direction, perhaps new ways of thinking, new ideas,” she added. “And I hope the Democratic caucus now accepts that.”
