As another session of Congress drew to a close, Americans witnessed the departure of two members of what was once known as the progressive “Squad.”
Representatives Jamaal Bowman (D-NY) and Cori Bush (D-MO) gave farewell speeches filled with the usual progressive rhetoric. They received little fanfare.
Bowman and Bush spoke to a nearly empty room. In fact, the video shows the pair were only accompanied by fellow squad leaders Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY), Rashida Tlaib (D-MI), and Ayanna Pressley (D-MA). Bowman was joined by his wife.
The irony of an exit speech that repeatedly called for reparations, criticized Israel, and echoed the sentiments of fringe factions within the party is not lost on those who have followed their careers.
They were shouting empty rhetoric to an empty room. Their parliamentary careers in a nutshell.
Rep. Cori Bush (D-MO) delivers her final remarks as a member of the House of Representatives. “It has been the honor of my life to serve as your representative in Missouri’s 1st District. Always remember that this representative loves you and will always have your back. , even if it means I lose something.” pic.twitter.com/LcYAIJMXd5
— Heartland Signal (@HeartlandSignal) December 12, 2024
Jamaal Bowman, Cori Bush said goodbye in speeches.
Jamaal Bowman and Cori Bush gave speeches that had no basis in reality. But what did you expect?
“Our squad was neither small nor quiet.” She spoke to a small crowd in a very quiet room. “We changed the course of history.”
She continued to tell her fellow Squadlings: “Each of you has made history and made a difference in your rights. And you have made a difference in my life too.”
Bush was soundly defeated by St. Louis prosecutor Wesley Bell in the primary. Bell also won the seat in November.
Bowman was also defeated and kicked out spectacularly. his He warned that “there is more to come.”
“Liberate Palestine, liberate the Bronx, liberate all marginalized people,” he declared.
🖼️ This image of Jamaal Bowman giving his exit speech from Congress to an empty room is museum-worthy. pic.twitter.com/O8lRUwB16P
— Jason Curtis Anderson (@JCAndersonNYC) December 13, 2024
RELATED: Squad member Cori Bush criticized for calling for $14 trillion in reparations.
they will be missed
Cori Bush and Jamaal Bowman will be sorely missed, even though there will be no one there to hear them say goodbye. Mostly by us. And mainly because of the unintentional comedy they provided.
When Bush did not come up with sound economic policies, such as demanding $14 trillion in compensation, he created a fictional story about a shooting during a protest in Ferguson, Missouri.
And then, of course, there was this moment, the pinnacle of her activist career, where she had no idea how taxes worked.
Ladies and gentlemen…
i am to you @CoriBush Actual member of parliament.
The level of stupidity is staggering. pic.twitter.com/9xEYZUYIjf
— Spitfire (@DogRightGirl) October 31, 2023
Bowman, meanwhile, will be remembered only for his political career that day when he turned to the Fire Marshall Bill to block a congressional vote. An act that some say amounts to rebellion.
🚨 NEW VIDEO: Democratic Rep. Jamaal Bowman removes warning signs before setting off fire alarms in a House office building last month. pic.twitter.com/dhwOQN2G6y
— RNC Research (@RNCResearch) October 26, 2023
It was a move so foolish that Democrats joined their Republican colleagues in voting to condemn him.
