The Race for Oversight Ranking Member: A Health Care Perspective
As House Democrats prepare for a key leadership vote on June 24, attention is turning to the race for Ranking Member of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee—a powerful role left vacant by the recent passing of Rep. Gerry Connolly (D-VA). His departure in April set off a quiet but important battle over the future direction of one of Congress’s most scrutinizing panels.
Why the House Oversight Committee Matters in Health Care
Though not traditionally the first committee associated with health policy, Oversight’s broad jurisdiction gives it powerful reach into how federal health programs are managed and regulated. Known for its watchdog role across government, the Oversight Committee has, at times, led some of the most high-profile congressional investigations into health care—ranging from drug pricing to health care consolidation to various issues related to the COVID-19 outbreak.
The Committee held a high-profile hearing in April 2025 titled “Restoring Trust in FDA: Rooting Out Illicit Products”, which explored how the agency regulates counterfeit drugs and other health-related consumer risks. Witnesses testified about breakdowns in FDA oversight and the consequences for public health—underscoring how the Committee’s work can shape regulatory reform and policy momentum.
The Oversight Committee has also focused on health care investigations involving pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs), drug pricing, and FDA oversight. In July 2024, the Committee scrutinized PBMs like CVS Caremark and OptumRx for practices that may have driven up prescription costs, prompting a related FTC lawsuit in 2024 over insulin pricing.
Who’s Running
If you feel like we just saw this leadership race only recently, you’re right. After the 2024 election, Connolly successfully defeated an insurgent challenge from Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY-14) to become the committee’s top Democrat, a victory secured with the backing of former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA-11). While Ocasio-Cortez was rumored to run again, she demurred this go-around.
Four Democrats are vying for the spot: Reps. Robert Garcia (D-Calif.), Stephen Lynch (D-Mass.), and Jasmine Crockett (D-Texas), and Rep. Kweisi Mfume (D-Maryland). Each brings a different background and health care perspective to the race.
Rep. Robert Garcia: The Progressive Challenger
Garcia, a second-term lawmaker and former mayor of Long Beach, has made headlines for his energetic style and alignment with the Congressional Progressive Caucus. He’s pitching himself as a leader who will take a more aggressive posture against Republican-led inquiries and redirect the committee’s energy toward protecting public health programs and the independence of federal watchdogs. Expect Garcia to emphasize pandemic preparedness, access to care for underserved communities, and bolstering federal health agencies’ authority and funding.
Rep. Stephen Lynch: The Experienced Institutionalist
Lynch, one of the committee’s longest-serving Democrats, is making the case for stability and seniority. Known for his pragmatic style, Lynch could steer the committee toward bipartisan investigations into health care fraud, veterans’ care, and Medicare oversight. His experience may make him the preferred choice for Democrats who value seniority and want to restore more traditional, methodical oversight of federal health spending.
Rep. Jasmine Crockett: The Equity Advocate
Crockett, a freshman lawmaker with a rising progressive voice, is running on a platform that emphasizes racial justice and health equity. A former civil rights attorney, she has expressed strong interest in using the committee to probe disparities in maternal health outcomes, access to reproductive services, and the social determinants of health. Her selection could make equity-focused health oversight a more visible part of the Democratic agenda.
Rep. Kweiski Mfume: The Statesman
Mfume, a veteran lawmaker with deep roots in civil rights advocacy and public service, brings a legacy of institutional leadership to the race. As a former president of the NAACP and vocal advocate for health equity he is emphasizing the committee’s responsible to protect vulnerable communities and upload government accountability. If elected, his focus on issues surrounding minority health disparities could shape the committee’s agenda. His candidacy appeals to members seeking experience, moral clarity, and a steady hand in an increasingly polarized environment.
What is Going to Happen
This race is about the future of Democratic oversight on health care. While the Ranking Member is largely left out of decisions about the direction of the committee, House Democrats are vying for a return to power after the 2026 elections. Should they prevail, a Democratic Chair of the committee could review health care spending, an expansion into structural inequities, or a confrontational approach to GOP priorities, depending on who wins the June 24 race to become the Ranking Member. The Democratic Caucus will cast its vote on June 24, with the outcome of the race determining not only the next Ranking Member, but the potential future scope of the committee’s health care agenda.