Since announcing her 2024 presidential bid, South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley (R) has stirred controversy. Haley has called for any lawmaker above 75 years to have to submit to a competency test. This call has received pushback from lawmakers including Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders (I).
However, Haley has responded to the criticism, arguing that the test would provide "transparency."
In her announcement, Haley commented that lawmakers above the age of 75 should have to submit themselves to a competency test to prove that they should remain in office. Haley has since called for a new generation of lawmakers, citing that there should be term limits. The former UN Ambassador has argued that lawmakers should get elected, do their jobs, and then leave office.
During an interview with CBS's Face the Nation, Senator Sanders commented on Haley's proposal, calling it "absurd."
“We are fighting racism, we’re fighting sexism, we’re fighting homophobia — I think we should also be fighting ageism,” expressed Sanders, affirming that lawmakers should instead be judged by their beliefs.
“There are a lot of 40-year-olds out there who ain’t particularly competent. “Older people, you know, you look at the individual. I don’t think you make a blanket statement,” said Sanders.
In response, Haley took to social media, sharing Sanders' interview.
"Exactly what a career politician and socialist would say. This is about transparency. The Washington establishment is afraid of the people finding out some of our leaders aren’t fit to serve," Haley said.
Exactly what a career politician and socialist would say. This is about transparency. The Washington establishment is afraid of the people finding out some of our leaders aren’t fit to serve #LetTheSunshineIn https://t.co/mvxxn6cz6O
— Nikki Haley (@NikkiHaley) February 19, 2023
Political pundits have questioned if the proposal is a political jab at both President Joe Biden (D) and President Donald Trump (R). Neither Trump nor Biden have responded to Haley's comments or her presidential announcement. Given that Haley served under the Trump administration and that she's the first Republican to challenge Trump, all eyes are on Haley as she seeks to win the nomination.
