Ocasio-Cortez's Bid for Top Spot on House Oversight Fails

Matt Vespa | December 17, 2024 6:35 AM

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) was vying for the ranking membership of the House Oversight Committee. It’s a position that Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) was reportedly working behind the scenes to sabotage. It’s not the first time the former House speaker has worked to contain and control members of the Squad. Whatever might have happened, Ms. Pelosi can sigh with relief—Ocasio-Cortez won’t be the top Democrat on this committee. She lost to Rep. Gerry Connelly (DVA) (via Axios):

Ocasio-Cortez on tomorrow’s vote: I feel good. I'm locked in. I just got to work
— Chad Pergram (@ChadPergram) December 17, 2024

Rep. Gerry Connolly wins initial vote for Oversight Committee ranking member, edging out Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez 34-27 pic.twitter.com/sB4agTHcWq
— NewsWire (@NewsWire_US) December 16, 2024

House Democrats' Steering and Policy Committee voted to recommend Rep. Gerry Connolly (D-Va.) as ranking member of the House Oversight Committee, several sources familiar with the vote told Axios.
Why it matters: It's a huge blow to Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez's (D-N.Y.) hopes of leading the high-profile panel, though the full Democratic caucus still has to vote to approve steering's pick.
It is rare for the caucus to buck the suggestion of steering – which is closely aligned with Democratic leadership – but it has happened before.
What we're hearing: Connolly defeated Ocasio-Cortez 34 to 27 on Monday, according to multiple lawmakers present.
Ocasio-Cortez said after the vote that she will continue to contest the role when it goes to a vote of the full caucus.