Incoming Congressional Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez hasn’t even been sworn into office yet, but she’s already emerging as a force on Capitol Hill. The youthful soon-to-be lawmaker reportedly led a sit-in at Nancy Pelosi’s office pertaining to global warming. Commenting on the issue, Ocasio-Cortez said: “we don’t have a choice.”
Ocasio-Cortez voiced support for the climate change activists but left before arrests were made. The protesters first sat in Pelosi’s office for 45 minutes, singing songs in unison. Then, they voluntarily moved to a nearby hallway, continuing their chants. Police arrived and 51 people were arrested for illegally protesting.
Pelosi acknowledged the protesters and their energy. She also voiced support for reinstating a select committee on climate change. Pelosi said in a statement: “I have recommended to my House Democratic colleagues that we reinstate the select committee to address the climate crisis. House Democrats ran on and won on our bold campaign for a $1 trillion investment in our infrastructure that will make our communities more resilient to the climate crisis, while creating 16 million new good-paying jobs across the country.”
Pelosi is prepping for what might be a tough battle to assume leadership of the House come January when Democrats take control. Pelosi is seeking once again to be Speaker of the House. Pelosi’s supporters argue that no one has the experience to lead while also noting that the congresswoman has been a prolific fundraiser.
Detractors argue that it’s time for a changing of the guard. The Democratic Party is reemerging as a force following its bitter defeat in the 2016 election. However, many of the political party’s ascendant voices are new members, like Ocasio-Cortez, who are far more progressive than the party’s older stalwarts.
It’s unclear who could challenge Pelosi. It’s unlikely that new members of congress, like Ocasio-Cortez, will be able to cobble together support quickly enough to challenge her. Ocasio-Cortez has already doused talk of her taking over as Speaker, noting that she didn’t want to bite off more than she can chew. Ohio Rep. Marcia Fudge, a well- respected Democrat, is apparently considering a challenge.
