When it comes to the perennial question of how to “pay for” the big-ticket items on the progressive agenda—from a Green New Deal to Medicare for All to tuition-free public college—economists and policy experts have comprehensively charted a number of viable paths forward.

“Of course Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez should be on Ways and Means and not another Wall Street politician using large corporate donations to masquerade as a so-called ‘problem solver.'”
—Shaunna Thomas, UltraVioletBut putting theory and analysis into action requires the exercise of political power, and that is precisely what Rep.-elect Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) is attempting to do by challenging Wall Street-friendly New York Democrat and self-described fiscal conservative Rep. Tom Suozzi for a seat on the House Ways and Means Committee.

As the House’s primary tax-writing body, Ways and Means would be directly involved in the crafting of any potential Medicare for All and Green New Deal legislation—two causes Ocasio-Cortez has unabashedly championed alongside a record number of congressional Democrats.

“Ocasio-Cortez is routinely asked how she plans to pay for her aggressive economic agenda, and the first answer begins with securing a spot on the House’s key tax-writing committee,” noted The Intercept‘s Ryan Grim, who first reported on the New York democratic socialist’s plan to vie for a Ways and Means seat on Tuesday. “Ocasio-Cortez’s decision to go after a spot on the Ways and Means Committee is part of a broader strategy to grow progressive power in the coming Congress.”

Though Ocasio-Cortez has yet to publicly acknowledge her push for a Ways and Means spot, progressive groups are already mobilizing in support of the effort, arguing that ambitious climate solutions and legislation like Medicare for All will not get off the ground unless bold progressives hold positions on powerful congressional committees.

House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.)—who is on track to become House Speaker in the next Congress—has the final say on committee assignments. As Grim pointed out, freshmen members “are almost never given spots” on the Ways and Means Committee.