New York Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, the progressive darling, confirmed Friday that she’s leaping within the race to be the highest Democrat on the highly effective Home Oversight Committee, the place she at the moment serves because the vice rating member.
“This is not a position I seek lightly. The responsibility of leading Democrats on the House Oversight Committee during Donald Trump’s second term in the White House is a profound and consequential one,” she wrote in a letter to her Democratic colleagues. “Now, more than ever, we must focus on the Committee’s strong history of both holding administrations accountable and taking on the economic precarity and inequality that is challenging the American way of life.”
The New Yorker’s entrance pits her in opposition to Democratic Rep. Gerry Connolly of Virginia, a senior member of the committee.
The winner of this contest will supply a transparent window into Democrats’ future. A win for Ocasio-Cortez would make her the youngest Democrat to guide a serious committee. It will additionally sign that Democrats are really able to embrace generational change: Connolly is 74, whereas Ocasio-Cortez is 35.
Connolly has served on the Oversight Committee for all of his 16 years within the Home and is emphasizing that have to argue he deserves the function.
“To me, it’s not generational. It’s about experience and record and capability, that’s how I got to present it,” Connolly informed reporters earlier this week, including that Ocasio-Cortez “has a lot of promise” however doesn’t run a subcommittee.
“I think that’s really important,” he mentioned.
Nonetheless, Ocasio-Cortez has constructed a nationwide model as an outspoken voice for progressivism since she was first elected in 2018. Whereas she’s sometimes landed within the sizzling seat for bucking get together management, she has additionally discovered to work throughout the system: She stumped for Kamala Harris’ presidential marketing campaign and serves because the Oversight Committee’s vice rating member beneath Democratic Rep. Jamie Raskin of Maryland. (Raskin introduced on Monday that he’s leaving the put up to run to turn into the highest Democrat on the Home Judiciary Committee.)
Extra not too long ago, Ocasio-Cortez has supported requires the older technology of Democrats to move the torch to a youthful group of lawmakers—an concept that’s gained steam within the get together particularly after President Joe Biden was pushed out of operating for reelection following considerations about his stamina and psychological health.
Certainly, Ocasio-Cortez’s bid comes at a time when different rebel Democrats are working to oust older, higher-ranking members. After the get together’s disappointing defeats in November, some Democrats are explicitly stating their want to switch growing older prime members of no less than three key Home committees—Judiciary, Agriculture, and Nationwide Assets—with youthful leaders in Congress. The competition to be the highest Democrat on Oversight will certainly be seen as a litmus check of Democrats’ dedication to a altering of the guard.
Past the query of age, Connolly’s well being points can also current a problem to his bid. Two days after the November election, the Democrat introduced he had been recognized with esophageal most cancers.
The Oversight Committee, which has subpoena energy and jurisdiction over a broad vary of subjects, can be essential for Democrats, who’re attempting to fight the incoming Trump administration. Whereas within the minority, Democrats gained’t get to decide on which points get heard, the rating member can have a platform to push again in opposition to hard-line Republicans’ legislative agenda and any plans to proceed investigating the Biden household.
Plus, if Democrats win again the Home in 2026, the brand new chairperson would have broad energy to subpoena and examine the Trump administration.
In line with Politico, Ocasio-Cortez has a large community of help and will win the endorsement of Democrats’ Steering and Coverage Committee, which is reportedly planning to make suggestions for committee leaders later this month.
In different phrases, by the top of subsequent week, we must always have our first sign as as to whether Democrats are dedicated to vary or if it’s again to enterprise as standard.
