Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-C.A., isn’t ready to pass power on to the next generation of Democrats — she’s still clinging to her last remaining influence by the fingernails.
According to reports, Pelosi had launched a behind-the-scenes campaign to prevent Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., from becoming the top Democrat on the House Oversight Committee.
Their nasty fight has gotten so bitter behind the curtains, it spilled into the headlines this week.
Pelosi, 84, is “actively working to tank” AOC’s bid, making calls to political allies urging them to support Rep. Gerry Connolly, D-V.A., 74, over the 35-year-old progressive congresswoman, according to Punchbowl News.
While Pelosi has publicly backed Connolly, the extent of her effort to undermine Ocasio-Cortez was previously unknown.
“I’m a big AOC fan,” House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer, R-K.Y., told CNN Thursday. “Obviously, I don’t agree with very much of her policy, but I think she’s a good person, I think she’s very well-spoken.”
Comer added that “the Democrats have nowhere to go but up after having Jamie Raskin for the last four years.”
The Democratic Steering and Policy Committee will meet next week to recommend a ranking member to the full Democratic caucus. Multiple outlets report Ocasio-Cortez had majority support among current committee Democrats… which Pelosi is desperately trying to undo.
The position carries significant weight as Democrats prepare to oversee investigations of the incoming Trump administration should they retake the House majority in the midterms.
Current ranking member Rep. Jamie Raskin, D-M.D., is seeking the top Democratic position on the House Judiciary Committee.
The Pelosi-backed candidate, Connolly, who revealed an esophagus cancer diagnosis requiring chemotherapy. He has served in the House since 2009.
AOC, currently vice ranking member of the House Oversight Committee, expressed interest in the position earlier this month.
The two Democrats’ bitter relationship dates to October 2018, when Ocasio-Cortez joined protesters in Pelosi’s office demanding climate action.
However, both have gone out of their way to praise each other in statements to the public, with AOC recently commending Pelosi for stepping down and “passing the torch” to Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries.
All 215 Democratic House members will vote by secret ballot on committee leadership positions for the new Congress. Pelosi’s office has not responded to requests for comment on her role in the contest.