Jan 15, 2019
Following outrage last week after Democratic House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (Calif.) shut out progressives from some of the chamber's most powerful committees, news that freshman Reps. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.), Katie Porter (D-Calif.), Ayanna Pressley (D-Mass.), and Rashida Tlaib (D-Mich.) are headed to the Financial Services Committee was met with applause.
Congratulating the quartet, Social Security Works called it "scary news for Wall Street and great news for the rest of us!"
\u201cCongratulations to @AOC, @katieporteroc, @RashidaTlaib & @AyannaPressley on joining the House Financial Services Committee. \n\nScary news for Wall Street and great news for the rest of us! https://t.co/J925jLJI4g\u201d— Social Security Works (@Social Security Works) 1547651156
\u201cRadical: joining the House Financial Services Committee to address the financial struggles of everyday Americans\u2014instead of looking out for Wall Street \ud83d\udc4f\ud83d\udc4f\ud83d\udc4f\u201d— Rebecca Vallas (@Rebecca Vallas) 1547644632
The committee's oversight responsibilities include U.S. banks and lenders, the economy, financial aid to industries other than transportation, insurance, international finance, public and private housing, securities and exchanges, and urban development.
Confirming her appointment late Tuesday, Ocasio-Cortez tweeted that she was "looking forward to digging into the student loan crisis, examining for-profit prisons/ICE detention, and exploring the development of public and postal banking."
\u201cPersonally, I\u2019m looking forward to digging into the student loan crisis, examining for-profit prisons/ICE detention, and exploring the development of public & postal banking. To start. \ud83d\ude42\u201d— Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez) 1547609451
On Wednesday, she followed up by acknowledging the impact that grassroots organizers played in securing progressive appointments:
\u201cI want to be very clear about how successful the work of grassroots organizers and activists have been in helping Progressives secure appointments to the powerful Financial Services Committee.\n\nIt starts, as w/ many amazing developments, w/ everyday people paying attention.\u201d— Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez) 1547661627
Last month, tens of thousands of progressives had called on Democratic leaders to appoint Ocasio-Cortez to the Ways and Means Committee--which, as the House tax-writing body, will have significant sway over popular progressive policy items such as Medicare for All, a Green New Deal, and tuition-free public college.
Although those efforts were ultimately unsuccessful, Ocasio-Cortez and her fellow progressive freshmen appear determined to use their appointments to the Financial Services Committee to push for policies on which they campaigned.
While highlighting reports that the appointment of Rep. Maxine Waters (D-Calif.) to chair the committee is "making Wall Street nervous," Pressley, on Twitter, reiterated her desire to help those burdened by student debt and threatened with the prospect of homelessness:
\u201cTo anyone that\u2019s ever come home to an eviction notice, felt overwhelmed by student debt or worked the 2nd&3rd shift - when I learned that I was appointed to the Financial Services Committee @FSCDems tonight I thought of you. We belong everywhere. I\u2019ll never stop fighting for you.\u201d— Ayanna Pressley (@Ayanna Pressley) 1547614426
Waters--who was appointed after Democrats regained a majority of House seats in November--is an outspoken critic of the Trump administration and has expressed her commitment "to creating opportunities, ensuring fairness, and protecting the economic well-being of all Americans," but the progressives are expected to push her to ensure that public good wins out over the wishes of the financial sector.
\u201cWATCH: House Financial Services Committee Chair Maxine Waters discusses the committee\u2019s new direction and priorities, as well as the impact of the recent government shutdown on financial markets and American families. https://t.co/PbzpTaOZl1\u201d— CNBC (@CNBC) 1547655209
"I don't take corporate PAC money," Porter, a protege of Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), toldPolitico on Tuesday, before appointment were confirmed. "I think we're going to see some other members put on the committee who don't take corporate PAC money. This is going to change the perspective on the committee and the issues it chooses to focus on."
"Now our movement has a voice to take on the greed and recklessness on Wall Street."
--Justice Democrats
Ocasio-Cortez, Tlaib, and Pressley, meanwhile, are all backed by the Justice Democrats, which welcomed their appointments in a series of tweets.
"It's time to fight for all working people and hold those in power accountable," the group said. "Now our movement has a voice to take on the greed and recklessness on Wall Street. We'll fight to protect tenants and families from evictions. We'll stop them from plundering our communities."
Join Us: News for people demanding a better world
Common Dreams is powered by optimists who believe in the power of informed and engaged citizens to ignite and enact change to make the world a better place. We're hundreds of thousands strong, but every single supporter makes the difference. Your contribution supports this bold media model—free, independent, and dedicated to reporting the facts every day. Stand with us in the fight for economic equality, social justice, human rights, and a more sustainable future. As a people-powered nonprofit news outlet, we cover the issues the corporate media never will. |
Our work is licensed under Creative Commons (CC BY-NC-ND 3.0). Feel free to republish and share widely.
alexandria ocasio-cortezayanna pressleydemocratic partyelizabeth warrengreen new dealjustice democratskatie portermedicare for allnancy pelosipoliticsrashida tlaibsocial security worksus housewall street
Following outrage last week after Democratic House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (Calif.) shut out progressives from some of the chamber's most powerful committees, news that freshman Reps. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.), Katie Porter (D-Calif.), Ayanna Pressley (D-Mass.), and Rashida Tlaib (D-Mich.) are headed to the Financial Services Committee was met with applause.
Congratulating the quartet, Social Security Works called it "scary news for Wall Street and great news for the rest of us!"
\u201cCongratulations to @AOC, @katieporteroc, @RashidaTlaib & @AyannaPressley on joining the House Financial Services Committee. \n\nScary news for Wall Street and great news for the rest of us! https://t.co/J925jLJI4g\u201d— Social Security Works (@Social Security Works) 1547651156
\u201cRadical: joining the House Financial Services Committee to address the financial struggles of everyday Americans\u2014instead of looking out for Wall Street \ud83d\udc4f\ud83d\udc4f\ud83d\udc4f\u201d— Rebecca Vallas (@Rebecca Vallas) 1547644632
The committee's oversight responsibilities include U.S. banks and lenders, the economy, financial aid to industries other than transportation, insurance, international finance, public and private housing, securities and exchanges, and urban development.
Confirming her appointment late Tuesday, Ocasio-Cortez tweeted that she was "looking forward to digging into the student loan crisis, examining for-profit prisons/ICE detention, and exploring the development of public and postal banking."
\u201cPersonally, I\u2019m looking forward to digging into the student loan crisis, examining for-profit prisons/ICE detention, and exploring the development of public & postal banking. To start. \ud83d\ude42\u201d— Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez) 1547609451
On Wednesday, she followed up by acknowledging the impact that grassroots organizers played in securing progressive appointments:
\u201cI want to be very clear about how successful the work of grassroots organizers and activists have been in helping Progressives secure appointments to the powerful Financial Services Committee.\n\nIt starts, as w/ many amazing developments, w/ everyday people paying attention.\u201d— Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez) 1547661627
Last month, tens of thousands of progressives had called on Democratic leaders to appoint Ocasio-Cortez to the Ways and Means Committee--which, as the House tax-writing body, will have significant sway over popular progressive policy items such as Medicare for All, a Green New Deal, and tuition-free public college.
Although those efforts were ultimately unsuccessful, Ocasio-Cortez and her fellow progressive freshmen appear determined to use their appointments to the Financial Services Committee to push for policies on which they campaigned.
While highlighting reports that the appointment of Rep. Maxine Waters (D-Calif.) to chair the committee is "making Wall Street nervous," Pressley, on Twitter, reiterated her desire to help those burdened by student debt and threatened with the prospect of homelessness:
\u201cTo anyone that\u2019s ever come home to an eviction notice, felt overwhelmed by student debt or worked the 2nd&3rd shift - when I learned that I was appointed to the Financial Services Committee @FSCDems tonight I thought of you. We belong everywhere. I\u2019ll never stop fighting for you.\u201d— Ayanna Pressley (@Ayanna Pressley) 1547614426
Waters--who was appointed after Democrats regained a majority of House seats in November--is an outspoken critic of the Trump administration and has expressed her commitment "to creating opportunities, ensuring fairness, and protecting the economic well-being of all Americans," but the progressives are expected to push her to ensure that public good wins out over the wishes of the financial sector.
\u201cWATCH: House Financial Services Committee Chair Maxine Waters discusses the committee\u2019s new direction and priorities, as well as the impact of the recent government shutdown on financial markets and American families. https://t.co/PbzpTaOZl1\u201d— CNBC (@CNBC) 1547655209
"I don't take corporate PAC money," Porter, a protege of Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), toldPolitico on Tuesday, before appointment were confirmed. "I think we're going to see some other members put on the committee who don't take corporate PAC money. This is going to change the perspective on the committee and the issues it chooses to focus on."
"Now our movement has a voice to take on the greed and recklessness on Wall Street."
--Justice Democrats
Ocasio-Cortez, Tlaib, and Pressley, meanwhile, are all backed by the Justice Democrats, which welcomed their appointments in a series of tweets.
"It's time to fight for all working people and hold those in power accountable," the group said. "Now our movement has a voice to take on the greed and recklessness on Wall Street. We'll fight to protect tenants and families from evictions. We'll stop them from plundering our communities."
Following outrage last week after Democratic House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (Calif.) shut out progressives from some of the chamber's most powerful committees, news that freshman Reps. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.), Katie Porter (D-Calif.), Ayanna Pressley (D-Mass.), and Rashida Tlaib (D-Mich.) are headed to the Financial Services Committee was met with applause.
Congratulating the quartet, Social Security Works called it "scary news for Wall Street and great news for the rest of us!"
\u201cCongratulations to @AOC, @katieporteroc, @RashidaTlaib & @AyannaPressley on joining the House Financial Services Committee. \n\nScary news for Wall Street and great news for the rest of us! https://t.co/J925jLJI4g\u201d— Social Security Works (@Social Security Works) 1547651156
\u201cRadical: joining the House Financial Services Committee to address the financial struggles of everyday Americans\u2014instead of looking out for Wall Street \ud83d\udc4f\ud83d\udc4f\ud83d\udc4f\u201d— Rebecca Vallas (@Rebecca Vallas) 1547644632
The committee's oversight responsibilities include U.S. banks and lenders, the economy, financial aid to industries other than transportation, insurance, international finance, public and private housing, securities and exchanges, and urban development.
Confirming her appointment late Tuesday, Ocasio-Cortez tweeted that she was "looking forward to digging into the student loan crisis, examining for-profit prisons/ICE detention, and exploring the development of public and postal banking."
\u201cPersonally, I\u2019m looking forward to digging into the student loan crisis, examining for-profit prisons/ICE detention, and exploring the development of public & postal banking. To start. \ud83d\ude42\u201d— Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez) 1547609451
On Wednesday, she followed up by acknowledging the impact that grassroots organizers played in securing progressive appointments:
\u201cI want to be very clear about how successful the work of grassroots organizers and activists have been in helping Progressives secure appointments to the powerful Financial Services Committee.\n\nIt starts, as w/ many amazing developments, w/ everyday people paying attention.\u201d— Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez) 1547661627
Last month, tens of thousands of progressives had called on Democratic leaders to appoint Ocasio-Cortez to the Ways and Means Committee--which, as the House tax-writing body, will have significant sway over popular progressive policy items such as Medicare for All, a Green New Deal, and tuition-free public college.
Although those efforts were ultimately unsuccessful, Ocasio-Cortez and her fellow progressive freshmen appear determined to use their appointments to the Financial Services Committee to push for policies on which they campaigned.
While highlighting reports that the appointment of Rep. Maxine Waters (D-Calif.) to chair the committee is "making Wall Street nervous," Pressley, on Twitter, reiterated her desire to help those burdened by student debt and threatened with the prospect of homelessness:
\u201cTo anyone that\u2019s ever come home to an eviction notice, felt overwhelmed by student debt or worked the 2nd&3rd shift - when I learned that I was appointed to the Financial Services Committee @FSCDems tonight I thought of you. We belong everywhere. I\u2019ll never stop fighting for you.\u201d— Ayanna Pressley (@Ayanna Pressley) 1547614426
Waters--who was appointed after Democrats regained a majority of House seats in November--is an outspoken critic of the Trump administration and has expressed her commitment "to creating opportunities, ensuring fairness, and protecting the economic well-being of all Americans," but the progressives are expected to push her to ensure that public good wins out over the wishes of the financial sector.
\u201cWATCH: House Financial Services Committee Chair Maxine Waters discusses the committee\u2019s new direction and priorities, as well as the impact of the recent government shutdown on financial markets and American families. https://t.co/PbzpTaOZl1\u201d— CNBC (@CNBC) 1547655209
"I don't take corporate PAC money," Porter, a protege of Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), toldPolitico on Tuesday, before appointment were confirmed. "I think we're going to see some other members put on the committee who don't take corporate PAC money. This is going to change the perspective on the committee and the issues it chooses to focus on."
"Now our movement has a voice to take on the greed and recklessness on Wall Street."
--Justice Democrats
Ocasio-Cortez, Tlaib, and Pressley, meanwhile, are all backed by the Justice Democrats, which welcomed their appointments in a series of tweets.
"It's time to fight for all working people and hold those in power accountable," the group said. "Now our movement has a voice to take on the greed and recklessness on Wall Street. We'll fight to protect tenants and families from evictions. We'll stop them from plundering our communities."
We've had enough. The 1% own and operate the corporate media. They are doing everything they can to defend the status quo, squash dissent and protect the wealthy and the powerful. The Common Dreams media model is different. We cover the news that matters to the 99%. Our mission? To inform. To inspire. To ignite change for the common good. How? Nonprofit. Independent. Reader-supported. Free to read. Free to republish. Free to share. With no advertising. No paywalls. No selling of your data. Thousands of small donations fund our newsroom and allow us to continue publishing. Can you chip in? We can't do it without you. Thank you.