History of Cori Bush in Timeline

Cori Bush is an American politician, nurse, pastor, and Black Lives Matter activist. She served as the U.S. representative for Missouri's 1st congressional district from 2021 to 2025, representing the city of St. Louis and most of northern St. Louis County.

Sections (2)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements

1911: Democratic Control of District

Since 1911, the district and its predecessors have been in Democratic hands without interruption.

1968: Bill Clay Wins Congressional Seat

In 1968, Bill Clay won the seat in Missouri's 1st congressional district, beginning the Clay family's long hold on the district.

July 21, 1976: Cori Bush's Birth

On July 21, 1976, Cori Anika Bush was born. She would later become an American politician, nurse, pastor, and Black Lives Matter activist.

Others born on this day/year

1994: Graduation and Personal Challenges

In 1994, Cori Bush graduated from Cardinal Ritter College Prep High School. During the summer of 1994, at age 18, Bush became pregnant after being raped and had an abortion.

1995: University Studies

In 1995, Cori Bush started studying at Harris–Stowe State University for one year.

2000: Lacy Clay Succeeds His Father

In 2000, Lacy Clay succeeded his father, Bill Clay, in representing Missouri's 1st congressional district.

2001: Preschool Work

Cori Bush worked at a preschool until 2001.

2001: Homelessness

In 2001, Cori Bush, her husband at the time, and young children lived in their Ford Explorer for about three months after being evicted from a rental home.

2008: Nursing Diploma

In 2008, Cori Bush earned a Diploma in Nursing from the Lutheran School of Nursing.

2011: Established Kingdom Embassy International Church

In 2011, Cori Bush established the Kingdom Embassy International Church in St. Louis, Missouri, and served as its pastor until 2014.

2014: Political Activism during Ferguson Unrest

In 2014, Cori Bush became a political activist during the Ferguson unrest, working as a triage nurse and organizer, where she stated that a police officer hit her. She also became a Nonviolence 365 Ambassador with the King Center for Nonviolent Social Change.

2016: U.S. Senate Election Campaign

In 2016, Cori Bush was a candidate for the United States Senate election in Missouri, where she placed second to Jason Kander in the Democratic primary.

2017: Advocacy for Federal Transit Administration Climate Relief Fund

Cori Bush advocated with allies for the Federal Transit Administration Climate Relief Fund to repair damage to public transit systems from severe storms and flooding in 2017, 2020, 2021, and 2022.

2018: Primary Campaign Against Lacy Clay

In 2018, Cori Bush launched a primary campaign against incumbent Democratic representative Lacy Clay in Missouri's 1st congressional district, and the campaign was featured in the Netflix documentary "Knock Down the House". Clay defeated Bush.

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July 2020: Greene's Accusation

After supporters of then-president Donald Trump stormed the United States Capitol on January 6, 2021, Greene accused Bush of calling for violence against a couple involved in the controversial July 2020 march through a gated St. Louis street.

2020: Advocacy for Federal Transit Administration Climate Relief Fund

Cori Bush advocated with allies for the Federal Transit Administration Climate Relief Fund to repair damage to public transit systems from severe storms and flooding in 2017, 2020, 2021, and 2022.

2020: Husband Charged with Wire Fraud

Cori Bush's husband was charged with two counts of wire fraud for allegedly accepting $20,000 in payments from the COVID era Paycheck Protection Program, falsifying details about his purported businesses to obtain loans from the Small Business Administration in both 2020 and 2021.

2020: Endorsements for 2020 Campaign

In 2020, Cori Bush ran against Lacy Clay again. She was endorsed by progressive organizations and received personal endorsements from political figures and activists.

January 6, 2021: Resolution to Remove Republicans

On January 6, 2021, Cori Bush introduced a resolution to remove every Republican who supported attempts to overturn the 2020 United States presidential election from the House of Representatives following the storming of the U.S. Capitol.

May 2021: Testimony on Pregnancy and Childbirth

In May 2021, Cori Bush testified to the House Oversight and Reform Committee about her experience with severe pain during her first pregnancy, which she attributed to "harsh and racist treatment" that Black women face during pregnancy and childbirth.

August 5, 2021: Defense of Personal Security Spending

On August 5, 2021, Cori Bush defended spending on personal security as a member of Congress while advocating for defunding the police.

August 2021: Fighting to Extend Eviction Moratorium

In August 2021, Cori Bush took a leading role in fighting to extend the CARES Act's eviction moratorium, even sleeping on the steps of the U.S. Capitol, which led to the CDC extending the moratorium on August 3.

September 2021: Vote Against Funding Iron Dome

In September 2021, Cori Bush was one of eight Democrats to vote against the funding of Israel's Iron Dome missile defense system.

November 5, 2021: Vote Against Infrastructure Investment

On November 5, 2021, Cori Bush was one of six House Democrats who voted against the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act because it was not accompanied by the Build Back Better Act.

2021: Advocacy for Federal Transit Administration Climate Relief Fund

Cori Bush advocated with allies for the Federal Transit Administration Climate Relief Fund to repair damage to public transit systems from severe storms and flooding in 2017, 2020, 2021, and 2022.

2021: Husband Charged with Wire Fraud

July 2022: Voting Alignment with Joe Biden

As of July 2022, Cori Bush had voted in line with Joe Biden's stated position 93.0% of the time.

2022: Advocacy for Federal Transit Administration Climate Relief Fund

Cori Bush advocated with allies for the Federal Transit Administration Climate Relief Fund to repair damage to public transit systems from severe storms and flooding in 2017, 2020, 2021, and 2022.

2022: Re-election Campaign

In 2022, Cori Bush ran for reelection to the seat and won the Democratic primary with almost 70% of the vote.

2022: Community Project Funding

In 2022, Cori Bush secured $750,000 in Community Project Funding for expansions to the Urban League facilities in North St. Louis, as well as funding for other area service organizations.

February 2023: Marriage to Cortney Merritts

In February 2023, Cori Bush married Cortney Merritts, a security specialist and U.S. Army veteran.

July 18, 2023: Vote Against Resolution on Israel

On July 18, 2023, Cori Bush was one of nine progressive Democrats to vote against a congressional resolution stating that "the State of Israel is not a racist or apartheid state."

October 16, 2023: Introduction of Gaza Ceasefire Resolution

On October 16, 2023, Cori Bush introduced a resolution calling for a ceasefire in the Gaza war and condemned Israel's bombing of the Gaza Strip.

2023: Announcement of Candidacy Against Bush

Following Cori Bush's introduction of a Gaza ceasefire resolution in 2023, St. Louis County Prosecutor Wesley Bell announced his candidacy against her for the following election.

2023: Vote Against Fiscal Responsibility Act

In 2023, Cori Bush was among the 46 Democrats who voted against final passage of the Fiscal Responsibility Act in the House.

January 30, 2024: Investigation for Misuse of Federal Security Money

On January 30, 2024, Cori Bush confirmed reports that she was under investigation by the U.S. Department of Justice and Federal Election Commission for alleged misuse of federal security money.

August 6, 2024: Primary Loss to Wesley Bell

On August 6, 2024, Cori Bush lost the Democratic primary to Wesley Bell, the prosecuting attorney of St. Louis County. This House primary was the second most-expensive in history, with significant spending against Bush.

2024: Federal Earmarks Secured

For the 2024 fiscal year, Cori Bush secured over $13 million in federal earmarks to fund projects in the St. Louis area, including emergency food and shelter services and redevelopment for a housing complex.