Jeffries, Democratic leaders endorse "Squad" Rep. Cori Bush

• Axios reported last week that House Democratic leadership was expected to endorse Bush.

What they're saying: Jeffries, House Minority Whip Katherine Clark (D-Mass.) and House Democratic Caucus Chair Pete Aguilar (D-Calif.) said in a statement that Bush has "championed constitutional principles" and "sought to expose far right extremism."

• "Cori has shown up for the people of St. Louis in the fight for reproductive freedom, gun violence prevention and affordable housing," they said.
• "We stand together to endorse Cori Bush for re-election as we collectively work hard to make life better for everyday Americans and battle the corrosive extreme MAGA Republican agenda."

Between the lines: The endorsement, which is in keeping with Jeffries' policy of supporting incumbent Democrats, comes just over a month before Missouri's Aug. 6 primary.

• Several of Bush's House Democratic colleagues previously told Axios they weren't surprised by leadership's delay in endorsing the left-wing firebrand, describing her as an isolated figure in the Democratic caucus.
• Bush's race has come into national focus after fellow progressive "Squad" Rep. Jamaal Bowman (D-N.Y.) was handily defeated by primary challenger George Latimer last month.