Progressives on Thursday announced that Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez will become the top Democrat on a powerful committee where former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi could use her vast influence on Capitol Hill to launch an investigation into the Trump administration. He was dissatisfied with reports that he was trying to undermine the aims of members of the House of Representatives. Next few years.
As Common Dreams reported last week, Rep. Pelosi (D-Calif.) will replace Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-Md.) as House committee leader Rep. Gerry Connolly (D-Va.). ) has publicly shown support for Oversight and Accountability in the 119th Congress Starting in January.
But Punchbowl News reported Thursday that Pelosi, who is best known for her relentless efforts to win votes within the Democratic caucus, is “calling out” to other Democrats on Connolly’s behalf. Reported.
The newspaper reported that the former House speaker is “actively working to block” Ocasio-Cortez’s (D.N.Y.) candidacy, as progressive Democrats seek extreme support from the party. , her relationship with Ocasio-Cortez was sometimes rocky. Reaching reforms on climate, immigration and other issues.
Both Connolly and Ocasio-Cortez believe they have the votes to win a ranking member spot. Ocasio-Cortez, who is a close ally of Raskin and has appointed him as her deputy this Congress, will be named to replace Rep. Jerrold Nadler of New York as the ranking member of the House Judiciary Committee. Maryland members of Congress have not publicly endorsed either candidate.
The Democratic Steering and Policy Committee, which has close ties to Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D.N.Y.), will recommend the ranking member role, which will then be voted on by the entire Democratic caucus.
The centrist New Democratic Party endorsed Connolly on Friday, while House Democrats told Axios that Ocasio-Cortez has “almost everyone on the (oversight) committee working with her.” .
The Congressional Progressive Caucus announced its endorsement of Ocasio-Cortez on Friday, with Chairwoman Pramila Jayapal (D-Wash.) and Chair-elect Greg Casar (D-Texas) set to lead the lawmaker’s “oversight committee.” “His fearless advocacy will help secure Democratic control.” House of Representatives in 2026. ”
“Throughout her tenure on the Oversight Committee, Congresswoman Ocasio-Cortez has been a strong voice for working people,” Jayapal and Cassar said. “She has used her seat on this committee to hold CEOs, Wall Street, and giant corporations accountable to the American people. Her research is just one example of her impact on leadership and dedication to everyday people. ”
As Axios reported, several long-time party members are facing the challenge of being asked to take on leadership roles by the party’s younger generation. Ocasio-Cortez, 35, was the youngest woman ever elected when she was elected in 2018, and is an outspoken member of the progressive “Squad,” which advocates for policies such as Medicare for All, and in the past has supported Pelosi. accepted demands to “abolish” Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), which reportedly infuriated the United States.
“Many members are concerned that these races will set a precedent,” a senior House Democrat told Axios of progressive races against lawmakers like the 74-year-old Connolly.
Drop Site News’ Ryan Grimm said Pelosi’s lobbying efforts against Ocasio-Cortez “reek of pettiness.”
David Dayen, editor-in-chief of the American Prospect, said the new report shows Pelosi is trying to act as a “puppet master.”
“It’s very infantilizing of House leadership to have a B-Team of 80-somethings conspiring behind the scenes to directly target the most promising young talent,” Dayen said.
Ocasio-Cortez sent a letter to colleagues last week announcing her candidacy for the ranking member position, saying she was involved in derailing Republican efforts to “weaponize the committee’s investigative powers for partisan purposes.” He promised to balance the oversight committee’s focus on President-elect Donald Trump. Fighting action to improve the lives of working Americans.
If Democrats regain the House majority in 2026, the committee would be given the power to launch investigations into the incoming Trump administration, as well as the power to issue subpoenas.
