Ocasio-Cortez, known as AOC, will serve on the Financial Services Committee along with Rep. Rashida Tlaib (D-Mich.), a fellow member of the so-called “Squad.” The grouping is of so-called Democratic socialists who are attempting to shift the Democratic Party further to the left.
Other appointments include Rep. Bobby Rush (D-Ill.) to the Agriculture Committee, Rep. Stephanie Murphy (D-Fla.) to the Armed Services Committee, and Rep. Joaquin Castro (D-Texas) to the Education and Labor Committee.
“In the election, the American people elected a Democratic House Majority that not only will ensure that our nation recovers from this historic pandemic and economic crisis, but will Build Back Better,” Pelosi said in a statement. “As House Speaker, I am pleased to announce the appointments of these outstanding Members to key Committees, where they will be relentless in leading Democrats’ work to combat disparities in our economy and country and to advance justice and progress For The People.”
Some appointments were approved earlier this month. Rep. Cori Bush (D-Mo.), a Black Lives Matter activist, will join fellow progressives Tlaib and Ocasio-Cortez on the Oversight and Reform Committee while Democratic socialist Rep. Jamaal Bowman (D-N.Y.), who unseated longtime Rep. Eliot Engel (D-N.Y.), will be a member of the Science, Space, and Technology Committee.
Rep. Kai Kahele (D-Hawaii), who replaced Rep. Tulsi Gabbard (D-Hawaii) after she declined to run for reelection, will be on the Armed Services Committee.
Pelosi last week announced full appointments to the House Rules Committee. Chairman Jim McGovern (D-Mass.) kept the position. Eight Democrats will be members of the committee, including Reps. Jamie Raskin (D-Md.), Mark DeSaulnier (D-Calif.), and Ed Perlmutter (D-Colo.).
