"Green New Deal" tests Ocasio-Cortez’s clout in Democratic House

The fight puts Pelosi, who has said addressing climate change will be a major part of her agenda, in a bind. Ocasio-Cortez, the 29-year-old Bronx, New York, politician has become a key voice for a new and diverse generation thanks to her come-from-nowhere 2018 Democratic primary win and 3.5 million combined followers on Twitter and Instagram. At the same time, Pelosi has to be able to act without forcing members of her caucus from moderate districts to cast votes that could put their seats in jeopardy in 2020.

Even with its long odds in the House, the idea is attracting support from the party’s presidential hopefuls. California Democratic Senator Kamala Harris on Tuesday became the latest 2020 candidate to throw her weight behind the plan.