2022: State of the States: Focusing on the Future of Millennial Leadership

On Monday, March 14th, Layla Zaidane, President and CEO of the Millennial Action Project (MAP), delivered a State of the States address in partnership with Representative Sara Jacobs (D-CA) and Representative Blake Moore (R-UT), co-chairs of the Congressional Future Caucus. State of the States, similar to the State of the Union, casts a vision on the future of political collaboration and highlights how leaders are taking action today. Here are the key takeaways from the address: 

We need young voices in elected leadership – Even though Millennials represent the largest generation in the workforce, they make up just 7% of Congress. There is an urgent need for more representation of young leaders in politics, both in Congress and at the local and state level.

Bipartisanship Works (More Than You Think!) – Bipartisanship happens more often than the general public realizes, from when bills are drafted in committee to getting passed on the chamber floor. Bipartisan bills stand the test of time. True democracy requires different opinions.  You can achieve great things when you find common ground.

Be the Change You Want to See – Rep. Jacobs never considered running for office. After she realized how the issues she most cared about affected her hometown, however, she stepped up to become the leader her community needed and a force for change. Now is the time for Millennials and young people to use their voice because they are the future. 

Celebrate the wins, especially in divided times – Rep. Moore revealed that one of his greatest achievements as a freshman legislator was getting a bill passed and signed into law despite being in the minority party. Rep. Jacobs, on the other hand, was proud that on January 6th, 2021, she and her colleagues returned to the House chamber to fulfill their constitutional duty by certifying the results of the presidential election just hours after a mob stormed the Capitol building. Even in divided times, we must always find ways to work together towards a more perfect union. 

Showing up with your values – Both Rep. Moore and Rep. Jacobs are driven to uphold their own and their communities’ core values, such as Rep. Moore’s commitment to honoring the sacrifices made by U.S. veterans and Rep. Jacobs’s to equity in education. While policymakers often assume that differences in political identity make collaboration impossible, Reps Moore and Jacobs have found allies and friends across the aisle without compromising their core principles.

If you are interested in learning more about the Millennial Action Project’s work, please reach out to us at [email protected].