US House TV via Reuters
Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York presides over the House of Representatives inside the House Chamber, Washington, DC, May 10, 2019.
- Democratic Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez became the youngest woman to preside over the House of Representatives on Friday.
- The 29-year-old freshman lawmaker from New York sat in House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's chair during the procedural task in the Democratic-led House Chamber.
- "That was my first time presiding," Ocasio-Cortez said on Monday, according to Reuters. "And it's exciting. It's certainly a view. I wish we could, I wish we were allowed to take photos."
- Prior to Ocasio-Cortez, Rep. Elise Stefanik of New York was the youngest woman to be elected to the House at 30-years-old in 2015.
Democratic Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez became the youngest woman to preside over the House of Representatives on Friday.
The 29-year-old freshman lawmaker from New York sat in House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's chair during the procedural task in the Democratic-led House of Representatives. House Democrats rotate for the ceremonial position and regulate speeches given by other lawmakers.
"That was my first time presiding," Ocasio-Cortez said on Monday, according to Reuters. "And it's exciting. It's certainly a view. I wish we could, I wish we were allowed to take photos."
Ocasio-Cortez is the youngest woman in history to be elected to Congress and the first House lawmaker of color to represent her district.
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Prior to Ocasio-Cortez, Rep. Elise Stefanik of New York was the youngest woman to be elected to the House at 30-years-old in 2015. The youngest House representative ever was Rep. William Charles Cole Claiborne of Tennessee at 22-years-old in 1797.
"Today I presided over the House floor for the first time, Ocasio-Cortez said on Twitter. "Every day here is a sacred privilege + responsibility entrusted to me by my community. I never forget that, and moments like these drive it home."
"Thank you to the people of NY14 + beyond," she added. "This House belongs to all of us."