Democratic Washington Rep.Marie Gluesenkamp Perez’s push to confront cognitive decline in Congress is finding rare common ground among liberals and conservatives frustrated with Washington’s aging political class."In every job I've ever had, there's a simple expectation," the congresswoman said in a video posted to X on Monday.
"You actually have to be able to do the work.Either you can do it or you can't.
And Congress shouldn't be any different."Gluesenkamp Perez proposed an amendment to the FY27 Legislative Branch Appropriations bill in May that would have required "the Office of Congressional Conduct to develop a standard for what constitutes conduct that does not reflect creditably upon the House, as it relates to a Member of Congress's ability to perform the duties of office unimpeded by significant irreversible cognitive impairment." The amendment was ultimately rejected by voice vote.WATCH: LAWMAKERS REVEAL WHERE THEY STAND ON CONGRESSIONAL TERM LIMITS AFTER RECENT HEALTH SCARESWashington, DC - July 27 : Rep.Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (D-Wash.) poses for portraits on Capitol Hill on Thursday, July 27, 2023, in Washington, DC.
(Photo by Jabin Botsford/The Washington Post via Getty Images) (Jabin Botsford/The Washington Post via Getty Images)The congresswoman maintains that the fight to rein in what she calls the "gerontocracy," a term meaning rule by the elderly, is not over.Reactions on social media indicate that she may have allies on the other side of the aisle."I agree with her, again," Daniel Miressi, a Republican running to represent Connecticut’s 4th Congressional District, said in response to Gluesenkamp Perez’s video."Mandatory cognitive testing to be a politician?" Crémieux, a popular anonymous right-wing X account, wrote.
"Extremely based.We should've had this sooner."UNLIKELY BIPARTISAN SENATE DUO SEEKS TO PERMANENTLY BAN EX-LAWMAKERS FROM LOBBYINGUNITED STATES - DECEMBER 2: Rep.-elect Marie Gluesenkamp Perez, D-Wash., reacts after drawi...