WASHINGTON — Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., has begun informing House colleagues that she is working to be the highest Democrat on the influential Oversight Committee, in accordance with three Democratic lawmakers who instructed NBC News that they had had conversations along with her.
Ocasio-Cortez, the progressive star who goes by the nickname AOC, instructed at the least two of these lawmakers throughout votes on the House flooring Thursday night that she is throwing her hat within the ring to guide Democrats on the committee. A 3rd Democratic lawmaker reported being instructed this week by Ocasio-Cortez, 35, that she was undoubtedly working.
Her entrance into the race pits her in opposition to Rep. Gerry Connolly, D-Va., 74, a senior member of the committee, within the race to be the highest Oversight Democrat. The contest will function a gauge of whether or not the Democratic caucus nonetheless values seniority or actually desires generational change.
Rep. Ro Khanna, D-Calif., a fellow progressive chief who serves with Ocasio-Cortez on the committee, declined to debate their non-public conversations however endorsed her for the job.
“AOC may be very collaborative on the committee and helps raise up all members,” Khanna mentioned in a quick interview. “She has been so passionate concerning the work of this committee for 2 years as vice chair, and we’d like progressives transferring into management in our Congress and nation to enact a working-class agenda. I’m all in for her.”
The Oversight Committee will probably be essential for Democrats as they attempt to fight the incoming Trump administration and journey herd on the president-elect and his allies, who’ve vowed to take retribution on enemies and flout different political norms in Washington. If Democrats win again management of the House within the 2026 midterms, the brand new Oversight chairperson would have broad energy to subpoena and examine the Trump administration.
The submit opened up after Rep. Jamie Raskin, D-Md., 61, who held the job this Congress, mounted an rebel problem to Rep. Jerry Nadler, D-N.Y., 77, the highest Democrat on the Judiciary Committee. With Raskin surging, Nadler dropped out of the Judiciary race and endorsed Raskin, all however guaranteeing him the function.
Top aides to Ocasio-Cortez didn’t instantly reply to requests for remark. But Ocasio-Cortez gave the impression to be leaning right into a bid for the Oversight job Wednesday.
“I’m actually within the place. I’m having a variety of conversations with my colleagues,” she mentioned. “And, you already know, I feel it’s extremely essential that we put together ourselves absolutely for an incoming Trump administration, in addition to combating for on a regular basis working Americans.”
She added that she has nothing however “great respect and admiration for Gerry Connolly.”
“He’s simply a completely improbable chief, and I feel we each convey property to the committee, which is a giant a part of why the committee’s been efficient. I really like Gerry,” she mentioned.
Connolly instructed reporters Wednesday {that a} potential race in opposition to Ocasio-Cortez would current a stark alternative for Democratic colleagues: He mentioned he has way more expertise. He was first elected to Congress in 2008; she achieved political fame by knocking off Joe Crowley, of New York, then the Democratic caucus chairman in a main in 2018.
But Connolly is also coping with well being points. Shortly after final month’s election, he introduced that he had been recognized with most cancers of the esophagus.
“To me it is not generational. It’s about expertise and file and functionality, and that is how I’ve acquired to current it,” Connolly instructed reporters Wednesday. “And she’s a brand new expertise and has a variety of promise, however I’m the one one within the race … who, the truth is, has [led] a subcommittee. I feel that is actually essential.”
The Democratic Steering and Policy Committee, which is intently aligned with Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., is planning to make suggestions for committee leaders later this month. After that, all 215 House Democrats who will serve within the new Congress will vote on who they need as their committee leaders for the 119th Congress.