AOC Takes New Step in the Her Career With Seat In Competitive House Committee

New York progressive superstar Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez landed a spot in the coveted and competitive House Energy and Commerce Committee after a failed bid to lead the House Oversight Committee. While her new legislative home has caused angst, and even jealousy, among some of her older fellow Democrats, experts believe this signals a great achievement for the young lawmaker and an important step in her political career.

The House Energy and Commerce Committee is a key legislative body that wields significant influence over the American economy, and it is a committee position she has wanted since she entered Congress six years ago. The last time she tried— and failed— for an open spot was at the end of her first term when she ignored her mentors and leaned on her social media following and worked on the Green New Deal instead of lobbying for voters.

AOC's recent victory comes as she lost a bid to lead Democrats on the Oversight Committee, after her colleagues voted 131 to 84 for 74-year-old Rep. Gerry Connolly (D-Virginia) who is battling esophageal cancer, in light of a movement by younger members of the party to be more recognized by their elder members after the November elections defeat.

The Bronx Democrat has risen to national prominence being a member of the progressive "squad," a group of young Democrats who ran for office during Trump's first term and gained traction through social media. AOC's popularity among a large and loyal following has shielded her from her Capitol Hill co-workers, with some lawmakers still resentful of her past divisive tactics, and others jealous of the attention she receives, The Washington Post reports.

But the new position may be just enough to get her new power in the Republican-led 119th Congress and beyond, according to a new The Post analysis.

"I think she's proven to be really effective— just with her own megaphone," said Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D-Washington), former chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus and mentor to Ocasio-Cortez. "Now the question is, can she bring that into the party... in a bigger way?"

Throughout her tenure in the House, AOC has changed her political strategy from an idealist to a pragmatist. That was mostly seen in December, as she campaigned for the Oversight Committee position, convincing her colleagues throughout the Democratic political spectrum— including moderates who have shown aversion towards her— that she is a team player.

Some Democrats still mistrust AOC, according to the analysis, particularly after she previously called for primaries against her colleagues, including members of leadership, to elect more far-left Democrats. That included efforts targeted at Reps. Hakeem Jeffries of New York, committee leader Richard E. Neal of Massachusetts and former congressman Sean Patrick Maloney of New York.

However, she has seemingly shifted her stance, telling Democrats last month that she is committed to helping all of her colleagues win in tough districts, including the moderates, and is focused on helping Democrats win back the majority of the House.

"What I have seen about her is her ability to grow, her ability to listen, her ability to take in advice that me and others have provided her," said Rep. Nydia M. Velazquez (D-N.Y.), who has been a close confidante and mentor of Ocasio-Cortez. "In our caucus meeting, you see a serious, passionate woman who cares deeply about our country and the working class."

At the same time, AOC's popularity among younger and more progressive voters is not lost among Democrats, as some of her allies believe she can help the party win back the House, according to The Washington Post. However, as she continues to be a target for Republicans, even with President-elect Trump mocking her after her Oversight Committee defeat, the next phase of her career— which many expect could include her running for Senate, governor and even president— depends on her star power, social media following, and her ability to win over her fellow Democrats in Capitol Hill.