House Homeland Security Committee Chairman Bennie Thompson Bennie Gordon ThompsonSenate to hold nomination hearing for Wolf next week Hillicon Valley: FBI chief says Russia is trying to interfere in election to undermine Biden | Treasury Dept. sanctions Iranian government-backed hackers FBI director calls antifa 'a real thing' MORE (D-Miss.) praised progressive freshman Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez Alexandria Ocasio-CortezLawmakers fear voter backlash over failure to reach COVID-19 relief deal Why Democrats must confront extreme left wing incitement to violence The Hill Interview: Jerry Brown on climate disasters, COVID-19 and Biden's 'Rooseveltian moment' MORE (D-N.Y.), saying he glories "in her spunk."

Thompson said on Wednesday that the Democratic Party as a whole could use more “young and talented” lawmakers like Ocasio-Cortez.

“For AOC, I glory in her spunk because we need young, talented people,” Thompson told Hill.TV’s Jamal Simmons during an interview that aired on "Rising."

Thompson added that he thinks the various skirmishes within the Democratic Party are “healthy,” citing the last thing they need is a party “where everyone agrees.”

Ocasio-Cortez became the youngest woman to be elected to Congress in November, months after she shocked the political world by upsetting 10-term incumbent Rep. Joseph Crowley (D) in New York's 14th District.

Even though Congress has been traditionally white and male, the 116th Congress made history with a record number of both women and minority lawmakers.

The number of African-American, Asian-American and Hispanic lawmakers are at new highs.

The freshman class also boasted a number of historic firsts. This includes the elections of Reps. Rashida Tlaib Rashida Harbi TlaibGeorge Conway: 'Trump is like a practical joke that got out of hand' Pelosi endorses Kennedy in Massachusetts Senate primary challenge The Democratic Party platform represents our big tent MORE (D-Mich.) and Ilhan Omar Ilhan OmarDemocrats scramble on COVID-19 relief amid division, Trump surprise Larry Kudlow defends response to coronavirus: Trump 'led wisely' The Hill's Morning Report - Sponsored by National Industries for the Blind - Woodward book revelations rock Washington MORE (D-Minn.), the first two Muslim women elected to Congress.

Thompson said the freshman class is a “melting pot of America manifesting itself" and a sign that the party is "maturing." He also emphasized that diversity is a strength, not a weakness, for the Democrats.

“It’s the maturing and broadening, rightfully so, of the Democratic Party and a recognition that our diversity is our strength,” he told Hill.TV.

— Tess Bonn