AOC handed bruising defeat in fight to become top Dem on House committee

Rep. Gerry Connolly (D-MD) will become the top Democrat on the House Committee on Oversight and Reform after beating a challenge from Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY).

The vote, according to Punch Bowl News, was 131-84.

Reporter and Punch Bowl co-founder John Bresnahan noted that Ocasio-Cortez was "gracious" in her defeat, hugging Connolly after the loss.

If Democrats take power back at the 2026 midterm elections, the oversight committee could be critical in investigating Donald Trump's administration.