Progressive New York Democrat Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez lost her bid to fill the ranking position on the House Oversight Committee to centrist Democrat Rep. Gerry Connolly, Va., in a House Democrats' Steering and Policy Committee vote, sources told Axios.
A number of lawmakers present during the vote told the publication that Ocasio-Cortez lost to Connolly 34 to 27 on Monday.
Prior to the vote — on Friday — the New Democrat Coalition, the Democrats' largest caucus, endorsed Connolly for Oversight ranking member.
"New Dems are proud to endorse our colleague, friend, and fellow New Dem Rep. Gerry Connolly for Ranking Member of the House Committee on Oversight and Accountability," the caucus said in a statement. "Rep. Connolly is a strong and talented communicator and a dedicated workhorse prepared to expertly lead the committee in defending our Democratic priorities and standing up to the Trump administration's extremist actions. He is the right choice to advance the interests of our full caucus."
Despite Ocasio-Cortez's loss on Monday, the full Democrat caucus still has to vote to approve the Steering Committee's pick.
However, Punchbowl News reported on Thursday that former Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., who just won reelection, was actively trying to shoot down the progressive Democrat's bid.
"Pelosi is making calls on behalf of Rep. Gerry Connolly (D-Va.), who is running against AOC to be ranking member of Oversight," the publication wrote. "Pelosi has made her support for Connolly publicly known. But her behind-the-scenes maneuvering shows the amount of political capital Pelosi's willing to put into the contest, which will be decided next week."
Nick Koutsobinas ✉
Nick Koutsobinas, a Newsmax writer, has years of news reporting experience. A graduate from Missouri State University’s philosophy program, he focuses on exposing corruption and censorship.
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