On June 8th, the Millennial Action Project (MAP) hosted an Instagram Live discussion focusing on youth leadership in politics and the importance of Millennial leaders in bridging the partisan divide, featuring MAP’s Congressional Future Caucus co-chairs Rep. Blake Moore (R-UT) and Rep. Sara Jacobs (D-CA). MAP’s President & CEO Layla Zaidane moderated the conversation.
Prior to taking her seat in Congress, Jacobs worked at the United Nations, UNICEF, and as a policy advisor for Hillary Clinton on the 2016 presidential campaign. Jacobs began the conversation by describing her background in foreign policy: she noted that her experience with conflict resolution abroad has allowed her to help bring communities together and reunite frayed ties between groups of vulnerable people in the United States. As Jacobs reflected on her time at the UN, working with far more polarized countries, she emphasized her hope for the future of our democracy here in the United States. Jacobs remains optimistic that on the heels of extreme polarization and a nation-wide reckoning, a country like the US will be able to rebuild even stronger.
Layla explained that the goal of MAP’s Future Caucus is to provide momentum for the emergence of young leaders in this country to create solutions to previously intractable issues. Jacobs is energized by this goal and pointed out the unique perspective that millennials have about current policy issues. This perspective includes the memory of 9/11 and navigating not one, but two, economic crises. Jacobs noted that this presents a fascinating opportunity for young people to start building post-partisan solutions.
Rep. Blake Moore joined the conversation and spoke about the importance of reaching across the aisle, literally and figuratively, to find common ground with his colleagues. Moore explained that prior to serving public office, he worked in the private sector with mission-driven organizations with clear goals of giving back to their communities. Moore hopes to promote that type of work in the public sector by collaborating with Jacobs and other young members of Congress on issues like early childcare and workforce development. Jacobs added that she is thrilled to work with Moore on issues that young people care about, such as personal internet safety and preventing cyberattacks. Layla added that she believes that the Future Caucus provides an opportunity to create sustainable, long-lasting bipartisan solutions to these issues.
Reflecting on his private sector experience, Rep. Moore explained that navigating and being resilient through change is the key to any obstacle. Setting a vision, engaging stakeholders, and following a strategic plan are steps to success whether in the private sector or passing legislation in Congress. Moore emphasized the importance of engaging young communities at the grassroots level because it is the youth in this country that understand the benefits of collaboration.
Layla asked one final question to the Co-Chairs: “What do you wish young people knew about Congress?”
Jacobs joked that Congress is like college. There’s an orientation, a room selection process, and committees that individuals can choose to join. She explained that members of Congress do not possess some “magic wizardry”. Jacobs encouraged young people to make their voices heard because young minds are needed now more than ever before.
Rep. Moore playfully refuted Rep. Jacob’s statement, suggesting that Congress can actually be more like junior high than college! Moore strived to provide hope to young people, assuring them that there are a lot of amazing members of Congress on both sides of the aisle who he considers mentors and friends. He suggested that critical thinking, exposing yourself to different opinions, and then forming an opinion based upon experience is a lot more productive than simply listening to what the media has to say.
Layla wrapped up the discussion by highlighting the importance of conversations like this Instagram Live, where elected officials have the ability to talk to their constituents without gatekeepers and media biases. In their final remarks, Jacobs asked young people to keep fighting for change and Moore urged viewers to get involved at the local level in order to more acutely execute policy goals. Jacobs and Moore concluded the Instagram Live by urging listeners, “Get excited, have optimism, and keep up the hope!”