Rep.-elect Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) is expressing interest in joining the powerful House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
Ocasio-Cortez has reached out to Rep. Frank Pallone Jr. (D-N.J.), who is expected to become chairman of the panel next year, about obtaining a seat, Politico first reported.
“I welcome Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez’s and other members’ interest in the Energy and Commerce Committee,” Pallone said in a statement Monday.
{mosads}Pallone noted that decisions on committee assignments would be made by the Democratic Steering and Policy Committee.
Ocasio-Cortez’s spokesman did not respond to a request for comment.
House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) will also have a big say on committee assignments, and Ocasio-Cortez has given her support to the likely future Speaker.
Ocasio-Cortez’s stance on reviving a select committee on climate change directly conflicts with Pallone’s views. He argues his committee and other committees of jurisdiction are already “strong champions for addressing climate change.”
Ocasio-Cortez has placed a strong focus on environmental issues, receiving praise from progressive groups for her proposal calling for 100 percent of the nation’s electricity to be produced from renewable energy sources.