Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) is said to have begun working behind the scenes to prevent Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) from becoming the top Democrat on the House Oversight Committee. It has been reported.
According to Punchbowl News, Pelosi, 84, would rather see Rep. Gerry Connolly (D-Va.) serve as a ranking member on key committees, blocking the 35-year-old New York Democrat's candidacy. He says he is “actively working” to do so. .
The former House speaker is “making a call” to Democrats to support Connolly, 74, over Ocasio-Cortez. The outlet reported on Thursday.
Pelosi has publicly supported Connolly's candidacy, but the extent of the powerful Democratic lobby was previously unknown.
Connolly and Ocasio-Cortez are in a fierce competition within their party to replace current Oversight Committee Ranking Member Jamie Raskin (D-Md.).
The Democratic Steering and Policy Committee will meet next week to make recommendations to the entire Democratic caucus on who should be chosen to serve as the top member of the committee tasked with overseeing the incoming Trump administration.
Multiple news outlets reported that Ocasio-Cortez has the support of the majority of Democrats on the oversight committee.
Ocasio-Cortez also appears to have an unlikely ally with House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer (R-Ky.).
“I'm a big fan of AOC,” Comer said. told CNN on Thursday. “Of course, I don't really agree with her policies, but I think she's a good person and I think she speaks very well.”
The Kentucky Republican suggested he doesn't have a good relationship with Raskin, who is running for the No. 2 spot on the House Judiciary Committee next year, and said he would likely talk to Ocasio-Cortez if that happens. We anticipate that we will build a good cooperative relationship. She was scheduled to be a ranking member.
“When reporters ask me about the ranking member race, I say this: I think AOC is great because Democrats have nowhere to go but up after running Jamie Raskin for the last four years,” Comer said. He said as he slipped in. Connolly would also be “fantastic”.
Pelosi's office did not immediately respond to The Post's request for comment.
