AOC loses her bid to become the top Democrat on the powerful House Oversight Committee

Progressive Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., was defeated in her bid to be House Democratic leader. House Oversight Committee, Losing to Rep. Gerry Connolly of Virginia.

Connolly excelled Ocasio-Cortez By 131 votes to 84, in what is seen as a blow to progressives who supported Ocasio-Cortez, a member of the progressive “Squad.”

“I thank my colleagues for their support and the trust they have placed in me to lead House Democrats on the Oversight Committee,” Connolly said in a statement after his election by the House Democratic Caucus.

Connolly described the “Republican playbook” in which he accused Republicans of using “debunked conspiracy theories” and enabling “the worst abuses of the Trump administration.”

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Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., lost her bid to be the top Democrat on the House Oversight Committee. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite, File)

“This will be trench warfare.” Connolly said. “Now is not the time to be shy. I promise the American people that the Democrats on our committee will be a beacon of truth and ready from day one to stand up to the Republican spotlight.”

FILE – Rep. Gerry Connolly, Democrat of Virginia, listens at an event, Oct. 22, 2020, in Fairfax, Virginia (AP Photo/Jacqueline Martin, File) (AP Photo/Jacqueline Martin, File)

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Connolly said Democrats will be “disciplined” and “very focused” on the election Kitchen table issues affecting the American people.

“We will stand up for our democracy and for the truth,” he said. “And we will protect the tremendous and historic progress we have made as House Democrats.”

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Fox News’ Chad Pergram and Tyler Olson contributed to this report.