Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) encountered a challenge in her bid to chair the House Oversight Committee, as Rep. Gerry Connolly (D-VA) secured greater backing in a Steering and Policy Committee vote, which ended with a count of 34-27.
Punchbowl News co-founder John Bresnahan wrote, “AOC has a really shot to win inside full Democratic Caucus. That’s a ‘better room’ for her, says one Democrat.”
Bresnahan added, “Sources close to AOC says she intends to move ahead with this contest in the full Democratic Caucus despite Steering Cmte vote. AOC feels good about her chances of winning, per sources.”
A final vote by the full Democratic caucus is expected soon, which typically aligns with the committee’s recommendation, though Ocasio-Cortez remains hopeful about her chances.
She is vying for the position left vacant by Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-MD), who is pursuing a role on the House Judiciary Committee.
Ocasio-Cortez emphasized the need to address issues affecting working-class Americans while pushing back against President-elect Trump’s agenda.
Ocasio-Cortez wrote, “Oversight Committee Democrats must balance our focus on the incoming president’s corrosive actions and corruption with a tangible fight to make life easier for America’s working class.”
