Washington — Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York on Friday launched her bid to become the top Democrat on the House Oversight Committee, as the party seeks. Change your veteran leaders On several key panels.
The New York Democrat said, “This is not a position I seek lightly. The responsibility of leading the Democrats on the House Oversight Committee during Donald Trump's second term in the White House is intense and consequential.” wrote in a letter For coworkers on Friday.
He said, “In the 119th Congress, Oversight Committee Democrats face an important task: We must combine our focus on this President's corrosive actions and corruption with a concerted fight to make life easier for America's working class.” Will have to do.”
While Democrats will be in the minority when the new Congress convenes next month, a victory would put Ocasio-Cortez in line to chair the powerful Oversight Committee if Democrats retake the House in 2026 halfway through President-elect Donald Trump's term. Are. The committee previously led several investigations into the Trump administration after Democrats won the House in 2018.
Her candidacy mounts a challenge against Representative Gerry Connolly of Virginia, who is also seeking to fill the vacancy of Representative Jamie Raskin. Raskin, of Maryland, is stepping down and trying to become the top Democrat on the House Judiciary Committee.
Representative Jerry Nadler of New York, the longtime Democratic leader of the Judiciary Committee, ended his bid to continue leading the panel after Raskin announced his challenge.
Efforts are also being made to replace aging Democrats on the House Agriculture Committee and the House Natural Resources Committee.
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries of New York has not publicly endorsed or condemned the committee's changes, but told reporters on Friday that “the caucus is doing its part, and we're doing it amicably.”
Contributed to this report.