(TheConservativeTimes.org) – The Democrat Party is on the verge of imploding after its moderate and progressive wings faced off in a crucial vote: whether to appoint Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez for a top congressional post.
Specifically, the 35-year-old socialist firebrand lost an early bid for House Oversight Committee leadership.
In a move that highlights the Democrats’ internal power struggle, the Steering and Policy Committee recommended 74-year-old Rep. Gerry Connolly (D-VA) over AOC in a 34-27 private vote.
However, the whole Democrat caucus is set to make the final decision today, so AOC still has a chance to reshape the party’s future.
If elected, Ocasio-Cortez would become the youngest Democrat to help lead a House committee, an idea that has establishment Democrats on edge.
Connolly, who has been in Congress since 2009 and on the Oversight Committee throughout his tenure, enjoys former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s backing.
This support from the old guard demonstrates the Democrat establishment’s determination to maintain control and resist the progressive wave championed by AOC and her allies.
“AOC has a really shot to win inside full Democratic Caucus. That’s a ‘better room’ for her, says one Democrat,” Punchbowl News co-founder John Bresnahan expressed.
Despite the setback, Ocasio-Cortez remains undeterred and feels optimistic.
Sources close to the congresswoman said she plans to continue her campaign in the entire Democrat Caucus.
This persistence underscores the growing divide within the party and the increasing pressure from the progressive wing to push for more radical policies.
The race for the Oversight Committee leadership is part of a larger battle within the Democrat Party.
Similar contests for other committee leadership positions, such as Agriculture and Natural Resources, reflect the ongoing tension between seniority and the push for generational change.
AOC’s campaign for the Oversight Committee leadership role is particularly concerning given the committee’s crucial role in ensuring government accountability.
In her campaign letter, Ocasio-Cortez emphasized the need to counter President-elect Donald Trump’s agenda, revealing her true intentions to use the committee as a political weapon rather than a tool for genuine oversight.
🚨​JUST IN: AOC Suffers Major Setback In Bid To Become Top Democrat On Key Committee
U.S. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) came up well short in her bid to become the ranking member of the House Oversight Committee, an influential position that would have given her an… pic.twitter.com/erMZmc2VdS
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