Washington – Democrats chose Representative Gerry Connolly of Virginia to serve as the top Democrat on the House Oversight Committee, rejecting an effort by some members to include a younger generation of lawmakers to lead the party on the top panel.
Connolly, 74, defeated 35-year-old Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez Became the ranking member of the powerful committee by a vote of 131-84. Connolly, who came to Congress in 2009, will replace Representative Jamie Raskin of Maryland, who will serve as the ranking Democrat on the Judiciary Committee when the new Congress convenes on Jan. 3.
Connolly told reporters after the meeting, “I think my colleagues were measuring their vote based on who has the experience, who is seasoned, who can be trusted, who is competent and who has the productivity. There is a record.” “And I think it prevailed.”
While Democrats will remain in the minority in the new year, Connolly's promotion to ranking member puts him in line to chair the Oversight Committee if Democrats retake the House in 2026 halfway through President-elect Donald Trump's second term. Are. The committee previously led several investigations into the Trump administration after Democrats won the House in 2018.
Asked how he planned to handle Trump's second term as the top Democrat on the committee, Connolly said Trump “may feel more courageous, but it may also make him more reckless. “
“There is a law in this country and we will make sure it is implemented,” he said.
The fight over committee leadership duties has reflected tensions over a potential generational shift within the party. Longtime top Democrats on the Judiciary, Agriculture and Natural Resources committees have stepped down from top spots to head to the new Congress, facing challenges from younger Democrats. Republicans are set to hold a trifecta in Washington in the new year, boosting a younger generation of Democratic committee leaders to counter Republican efforts.
The Democrats saw a change in leadership at their top level in 2022, when Republicans took control of the House in that year's midterm elections. Long-serving leaders Nancy Pelosi, Steny Hoyer and Jim Clyburn resigned from their positions to make way for younger members.