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 present 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 provide a transparent window into Democrats’ future. A win for Ocasio-Cortez would make her the youngest Democrat to steer a serious committee. It could additionally sign that Democrats are actually 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 instructed 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 stated.
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 scorching seat for bucking get together management, she has additionally realized to work throughout the system: She stumped for Kamala Harris’ presidential marketing campaign and serves because the Oversight Committee’s vice rating member below Democratic Rep. Jamie Raskin of Maryland. (Raskin introduced on Monday that he’s leaving the publish to run to develop into the highest Democrat on the Home Judiciary Committee.)
Extra lately, Ocasio-Cortez has supported requires the older era of Democrats to cross 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 working 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 need to interchange growing older high members of not 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 take a look at 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 identified with esophageal most cancers.
The Oversight Committee, which has subpoena energy and jurisdiction over a broad vary of matters, might 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 tip of subsequent week, we must always have our first sign as as to if Democrats are dedicated to vary or if it’s again to enterprise as common.
