Cori Anika Bush is a U.S. Representative for Missouri's 1st congressional district. She has served in this position since 2021. Her district includes the city of St. Louis and most of northern St. Louis County. In addition to being a politician, Bush is also a nurse, pastor, and activist in the Black Lives Matter movement.
1909: Democratic Hold on District
With the exception of 17 months, the Democratic party has held Missouri's 1st congressional district since 1909.
1911: Uninterrupted Democratic Control of District
The Democratic party has maintained uninterrupted control of Missouri's 1st congressional district since 1911.
1968: Start of Clay Family's Political Influence
Bill Clay, Lacy Clay's father, won the seat for Missouri's 1st congressional district in 1968, marking the start of the Clay family's political influence.
July 21, 1976: Cori Bush's Birth
On July 21, 1976, Cori Bush was born in St. Louis.
1994: Graduation and Personal Challenges
In 1994, Cori Bush graduated from Cardinal Ritter College Prep High School. That same year, at age 18, she experienced a pregnancy after being raped and had an abortion.
1995: Start at Harris–Stowe State University
Cori Bush began studying at Harris–Stowe State University in 1995.
2000: Lacy Clay Succeeds Father in Congress
Lacy Clay succeeded his father, Bill Clay, as the representative for Missouri's 1st congressional district in 2000.
2001: End of Preschool Employment
Cori Bush worked at a preschool until 2001.
2008: Nursing Diploma Earned
In 2008, Cori Bush earned a Diploma in Nursing from the Lutheran School of Nursing.
2011: Establishment of Kingdom Embassy International Church
In 2011, Cori Bush founded the Kingdom Embassy International Church in St. Louis, Missouri, and served as its pastor.
2014: Activism During Ferguson Unrest
Cori Bush became a political activist during the 2014 Ferguson unrest, working as a triage nurse and organizer. She was also involved in the Nonviolence 365 campaign with the King Center for Nonviolent Social Change.
2016: U.S. Senate Election
In 2016, Cori Bush ran for the United States Senate in Missouri but was unsuccessful.
2016: U.S. Senate Election Run
In 2016, Cori Bush ran in the Democratic primary for the U.S. Senate election in Missouri.
2017: Advocacy for Climate Relief Fund
In 2017, Cori Bush, along with Senator Roy Blunt and other congressional allies, advocated for the Federal Transit Administration Climate Relief Fund to address damage to public transit systems caused by severe storms and flooding.
2018: First Run for U.S. House
Cori Bush first ran in the Democratic primary for Missouri's 1st congressional district in 2018.
2018: Second Congressional Run
In 2018, Cori Bush campaigned against incumbent Democrat Lacy Clay for Missouri's 1st congressional district. Though unsuccessful, her campaign was featured in the Netflix documentary "Knock Down the House."
2019: Feature in "Knock Down the House"
Cori Bush's 2018 congressional campaign was featured in the 2019 Netflix documentary "Knock Down the House".
July 2020: Incident with Marjorie Taylor Greene
In July 2020, Cori Bush was involved in a confrontation with Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene, who accused Bush of inciting violence against individuals involved in a controversial march in St. Louis.
August 4, 2020: Victory in Democratic Primary
On August 4, 2020, Cori Bush won the Democratic primary for Missouri's 1st congressional district, defeating 10-term incumbent Lacy Clay.
2020: Support for Trump's Impeachment
Cori Bush supported the second impeachment of Donald Trump in relation to the 2020 election challenges.
2020: Advocacy for Climate Relief Fund
Cori Bush and her allies continued to push for funding for the Federal Transit Administration Climate Relief Fund in 2020, seeking to secure resources for public transit systems affected by severe storms and flooding.
2020: Endorsements for Second Congressional Run
In 2020, Cori Bush received endorsements from various progressive organizations and figures like Bernie Sanders and Angela Davis for her second run against Lacy Clay.
January 6, 2021: Response to January 6th Capitol Attack
Following the January 6, 2021 attack on the U.S. Capitol, Cori Bush introduced a resolution to expel Republicans who challenged the 2020 election results.
May 2021: Testimony on Racial Bias in Healthcare
In May 2021, Cori Bush testified before the House Oversight and Reform Committee, sharing her experience of alleged racial bias during her pregnancy and advocating for better maternal healthcare for Black women.
August 5, 2021: Defense of Personal Security Spending and Defund the Police Stance
On August 5, 2021, Cori Bush defended her spending on personal security while supporting the "defund the police" movement, sparking controversy.
August 2021: Advocacy for Eviction Moratorium Extension
In August 2021, Cori Bush advocated for extending the CARES Act's eviction moratorium, even sleeping on the steps of the U.S. Capitol.
September 2021: Vote Against Iron Dome Funding
In September 2021, Cori Bush was one of eight Democrats who opposed funding for Israel's Iron Dome missile defense system.
November 5, 2021: Vote Against Infrastructure Bill
On November 5, 2021, Cori Bush was one of six House Democrats to vote against the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act due to its separation from the Build Back Better Act.
2021: Start of Congressional Term
In 2021, Cori Bush began serving as the U.S. representative for Missouri's 1st congressional district.
2021: Advocacy for Climate Relief Fund
Cori Bush's advocacy for the Federal Transit Administration Climate Relief Fund continued in 2021 as she fought to secure funding for public transit systems impacted by severe storms and flooding.
July 2022: Alignment with Biden's Positions
As of July 2022, Cori Bush had voted in agreement with President Joe Biden's stated position 93% of the time.
2022: Advocacy for Climate Relief Fund
In 2022, Cori Bush persisted in her efforts to secure funding for the Federal Transit Administration Climate Relief Fund, aiming to address the needs of public transit systems grappling with the aftermath of severe storms and flooding.
2022: Securing Funding for Community Projects
In 2022, Cori Bush secured $750,000 for community projects in St. Louis, including expansions to the Urban League facilities.
February 2023: Marriage to Cortney Merritts
Cori Bush married Cortney Merritts, a security specialist and U.S. Army veteran, in February 2023.
July 18, 2023: Vote Against Israel Resolution
On July 18, 2023, Cori Bush was among nine progressive Democrats who voted against a non-binding resolution that declared Israel as not a racist or apartheid state.
2023: Vote Against Fiscal Responsibility Act
Cori Bush was among the 46 Democrats who voted against the Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2023.
2023: Ceasefire Resolution and Political Challenges
In 2023, following Cori Bush's introduction of a ceasefire resolution, she faced a candidacy challenge from Wesley Bell and potential funding from opponents for her stance on the Israel-Palestine conflict.
January 30, 2024: Department of Justice Investigation
On January 30, 2024, it was confirmed that Cori Bush was being investigated by the U.S. Department of Justice for alleged misuse of federal security funds, despite a previous dismissal of the same allegations by the Office of Congressional Ethics.
2024: Securing Earmarks for St. Louis Projects
For the 2024 fiscal year, Cori Bush secured over $13 million in federal earmarks for projects in the St. Louis area.