WASHINGTON — Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez didn’t get a seat on the powerful tax writing committee where she sought to push her progressive agenda of Medicare for All, free college tuition and a green new deal.
Instead, the open downstate New York slot on the House Ways and Means Committee went to a moderate Democrat, Long Island Rep. Tom Suozzi, a former CPA, attorney and county executive.
Suozzi will assume the committee seat of Rep. Joe Crowley, the Queens Democrat Ocasio-Cortez defeated last year in a stunning upset.
Ocasio-Cortez sought a spot on the committee—which is usually off limits to freshman reps – with the backing of progressive groups that pushed for a slate of fresh-faced candidates to earn posh assignments.
Michigan Rep. Rashida Tlaib made a play for Appropriations, but she too was passed over.
Ocasio-Cortez, at 29 the youngest member of Congress, took the defeat in stride. Asked if she felt slighted by leadership, her spokesman Corbin Trent said “certainly not.”
“She hoped to be on it, but we’re excited to see what committees she does get,” Trent said.
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