Maxine Waters Demands to Retake House Leadership Position if Democrats Win Midterms – Despite Being 87 Years Old
Rep. Maxine Waters – Screencap of Twitter/X video.
If Democrats regain control of the House of Representatives in the 2026 midterm elections, Rep. Maxine Waters is signaling that she intends to reclaim her role as chair of the Financial Services Committee.
Waters, who will be 88 by the time the new Congress convenes, has represented south Los Angeles for nearly 35 years. She made history in 2019 as the first Black woman to lead the Financial Services Committee, which oversees legislation on everything from financial regulation and cryptocurrency to housing and lending policies.
Known for coining the phrase “reclaiming my time,” Waters described her approach to leadership as energetic and relentless. “If you take a look at my energy and what I do — I am Auntie Maxine,” she told Politico.
In other words; You can pry the trough out of my cold dead hands says Maxine Waters! 😎 https://t.co/1bChyKUWdF
— Lee Humphrey (@tleehumphrey) March 23, 2026
Some members of the committee have privately expressed concerns about Waters’ leadership style. Criticisms include her fundraising priorities and limited contributions to colleagues, as well as her tendency to dominate the spotlight rather than creating opportunities for younger members. Yet, despite these complaints, few are willing to challenge her publicly for the chair position.
Supporters point to her ability to secure bipartisan backing for housing and insurance legislation and her focus on addressing the needs of constituents rather than just the interests of wealthy individuals.
Are leaders that have a realistic grasp of life expectancy too much to ask for? https://t.co/qPEhmvM72d
— Chris (@LCSeward) March 23, 2026
35 years in office,
accomplished nothing. Smh https://t.co/CcSIqU4ObO
— Maybe: Juug 🚩 🚩 (@ThaSouth) March 23, 2026
Waters’ decision to continue pursuing leadership at nearly 90 raises broader questions about the role of age and tenure in Congress. Both parties have long-serving members who are reluctant to step down, but her case highlights ongoing debates about term limits and the potential need for age considerations in federal service.
As Waters prepares for the next chapter, the question remains: is it time for the institution to consider limits on how long—and how long in life—someone can serve?
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