Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi is secretly scheming behind the scenes to derail Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez’s (D-NY) attempt to become the top Democrat on the influential House Oversight Committee. Pelosi, who has long wielded significant power within the Democratic Party, is said to be pushing for Rep. Gerry Connolly (D-Va.), 74, to secure the ranking member position instead of the 35-year-old Ocasio-Cortez.
According to reports from Punchbowl News, Pelosi, 84, has been actively making calls to fellow Democrats, urging them to support Connolly’s candidacy for the position. While Pelosi has publicly endorsed Connolly, her behind-the-scenes efforts to sway colleagues show just how important this battle for influence has become within the Democratic Party. The race for the top spot on the House Oversight Committee comes after the departure of Jamie Raskin (D-Md.), who is set to move into a higher-ranking position on the House Judiciary Committee.
The race between Connolly and Ocasio-Cortez has sparked division among Democrats, with multiple reports indicating that Ocasio-Cortez enjoys significant support from the committee’s members. However, it appears Pelosi is not backing down from her preference for Connolly, who has a reputation for being a steady, pragmatic voice in the party. This intra-party conflict highlights a growing rift within the Democratic establishment, as younger progressives like Ocasio-Cortez clash with more established figures like Pelosi and Connolly.
Interestingly, Ocasio-Cortez seems to have a surprising ally in House Oversight Committee Chairman Rep. James Comer (R-Ky.), who publicly stated his admiration for the New York Democrat. Despite their stark policy differences, Comer praised Ocasio-Cortez for being well-spoken and expressed confidence that he could work effectively with her. Comer also remarked that, compared to the tenure of Raskin, Democrats “have nowhere to go but up” in the ranking member position, suggesting that Ocasio-Cortez, despite her progressive views, could bring a refreshing change to the committee.
In this highly charged political moment, the battle for the top spot on the House Oversight Committee is shaping up to be more than just a power struggle; it’s emblematic of the growing divide within the Democratic Party between its more traditional factions and its progressive wing. Whether Ocasio-Cortez can overcome Pelosi’s influence and secure the position remains to be seen, but it’s clear that this clash will have long-term implications for the direction of the party.