Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) is trying to block Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) from running to lead the Democratic Party on the House Oversight Committee, according to multiple reports.
Punchbowl News and Axios both reported that Pelosi has urged colleagues to support Ocasio-Cortez's opponent, Rep. Gerry Connolly (D-Va.), for the powerful Oversight Committee position. It was reported that they are working on it.
Punch Bowl News was the first to report the news. report Pelosi is “actively trying to attack” Ocasio-Cortez.
Ocasio-Cortez, 35, who only joined Congress in 2019, served as deputy ranking member to Ranking Member Jamie Raskin (D-Mediland) in this Congress, while Connolly, 74, joined Congress in 2011. He has served as a member of the Oversight Committee since then.
a Democratic Party member said He argues that the trend of older Democrats facing challenges for key positions is starting to cause concern within the party.
“Many members are concerned that [the] These races are setting a precedent,” a senior House Democrat told Axios.
A similar situation unfolded in the race for the top Democratic seat on the Judiciary Committee. Mr. Raskin challenged current Ranking Member Jerry Nadler (D-N.Y.), who ultimately decided to resign in order to seek reelection as the top Democrat, and Mr. Raskin accepted the position. walked the runway.
But Pelosi's efforts to thwart Ocasio-Cortez, who was hospitalized with injuries overseas in Luxembourg on Friday, may be in vain. An anonymous House Democrat told Axios that nearly all Democrats on the oversight committee support Ocasio-Cortez's bid.
“This is something that the House Democratic Steering Committee, which meets on Tuesday to make recommendations, will take seriously,” he said.
The steering committee is expected to recommend who should lead the committee's Democrats before a formal vote is taken at the meeting.
she is announced “This is not a position I seek lightly,” Ocasio-Cortez wrote in her candidacy last week.
“The responsibility of leading Democrats on the House Oversight Committee during President Donald Trump's second term in the White House is grave and significant,” she added.
