AOC takes not-so-subtle jab at colleagues as she ends speculation on powerful position

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) on Monday ruled out a bid to become the top Democrat on the House Oversight Committee – but not before taking a thinly-veiled swipe at her party’s continued preference for seniority.

“It’s actually clear to me that the underlying dynamics in the caucus have not shifted with respect to seniority as much as I think would be necessary, so I believe I’ll be staying put at Energy and Commerce,” the New York progressive lawmaker told reporters, as reported by Politico.

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Ocasio-Cortez emerged as a potential replacement to succeed Rep. Gerry Connolly (D-VA), who “kicked off a quiet scramble” with his recent announcement that he would step aside from the role for health reasons, Politico added.

The decision came just months after he fended off a challenge from Ocasio-Cortez to be the leading Democrat on the powerful congressional committee.