Connolly defeated Ocasio-Cortez for the post in December after Democrats on the House Steering Committee recommended him. The Virginian said he would step down from the post last week after his esophageal cancer returned.

Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez said Monday she won’t seek the top Democratic position on the Oversight Committee, citing the caucus’ preference for seniority. ”It's actually clear to me that the underlying dynamics in the caucus have not shifted with respect to seniority as much as I think would be necessary,