Former Speaker Nancy Pelosi is reportedly working behind the scenes to block Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) from ascending to a prominent position within the House Oversight Committee in the upcoming Congress.

The 35-year-old progressive representative is vying to become the committee’s ranking member, a role that could hold significant influence for House Democrats in the future.

Ocasio-Cortez, who has served as vice ranking member of the committee, faces a challenge from Rep. Gerry Connolly (D-VA), a 74-year-old congressman who has been in office since 2009.

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The contest sets up a generational clash within the Democratic Party, with Pelosi, 84, reportedly throwing her support behind Connolly.

Although Pelosi no longer holds a formal leadership role within the Democratic caucus, her endorsement carries significant weight.

According to a report from Punchbowl News, Pelosi is actively making calls to promote Connolly’s bid for the top position on the Oversight Committee.

Publicly, Pelosi has expressed support for Connolly, further solidifying his campaign.

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Her backing highlights the ongoing tension between the party’s establishment figures and its younger, progressive members, such as Ocasio-Cortez, who have sought to reshape the Democratic platform.

Last month, Connolly disclosed that he had been diagnosed with esophageal cancer and was undergoing chemotherapy.

Despite the diagnosis, he expressed confidence in his recovery and remains committed to securing the ranking member position.

Ocasio-Cortez, meanwhile, announced earlier this month that she was exploring a bid for the role and consulting colleagues before formalizing her decision.

If successful, the position could provide her with a powerful platform to shape oversight initiatives, particularly if Democrats regain the House majority in the 2024 elections.

The ranking member on the Oversight Committee plays a pivotal role in shaping the committee’s agenda and investigations, even while in the minority.

If Democrats regain control of the House, the ranking member could wield significant power, including the ability to issue subpoenas.

The current ranking member, Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-MD), is pursuing the top Democratic position on the Judiciary Committee.

Rep. Jerry Nadler (D-NY), who currently holds that role, has announced he will not seek to remain in the position and has endorsed Raskin as his successor.

All 215 House Democrats are set to vote on committee leadership positions by secret ballot, leaving the outcome uncertain.

Pelosi and Ocasio-Cortez have had a complicated relationship since the New York congresswoman’s arrival in Washington in 2018 following her primary upset against a powerful Democratic incumbent.

Ocasio-Cortez quickly made headlines as part of a group of protesters who occupied Pelosi’s office to demand action on climate change.

Despite these early clashes, Pelosi has publicly praised Ocasio-Cortez in recent years and downplayed reports of their feud.

Earlier this year, Ocasio-Cortez acknowledged Pelosi’s decision to step aside for a new generation of Democratic leaders, praising her for “passing the torch” to House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY).

The race for the Oversight Committee’s ranking member role serves as a microcosm of the Democratic Party’s ongoing debates over leadership and future strategy.

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