'Quote of the day': Democrat mocked after calling cancer-stricken 74-year-old 'young'

A Democratic congressman raised eyebrows by touting the youthfulness of a colleague who beat out Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) for a coveted committee seat.

Rep. Gerry Connolly (D-VA) defeated the 35-year-old New York Democrat in a vote to become the ranking member of the House Oversight Committee, and one of his top allies praised the 74-year-old's vigor despite being more than twice as old as Ocasio-Cortez — and having recently been diagnosed with cancer, reported Axios.

"Gerry's a young 74, cancer notwithstanding," said Rep. Don Beyer (D-VA).

Connolly defeated Ocasio-Cortez 131-84, despite a shakeup across Democratic committee leadership that saw younger lawmakers push out septuagenarian panel leaders from their positions after Republicans won the trifecta in November's election. Beyer's remark underscored that dynamic.

"Quote of the day from Rep. Don Beyer, a staunch Connolly ally," wrote Axios congressional reporter Andrew Solender.

"Truly one of the most feckless major political parties in human history," added X user The Real Brent.

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"They are taking the whole country with them to the grave," said X user Kirk Jones. "By far the worst generation in American history."

"Bunch of feckless losers," added college student Tyler Hackner.

"Beyer is an expert on 74 year olds," posted artist Andy Pearlman. "He himself is 74 years old!"

"You never hear anyone praising a young person's 'vigor,'" said Bluesky user Peter Jeffe, "it's always a backhanded way to say an old person isn't quite dead yet.