While Donald Trump carried out his mega rally at Madison Square Garden , Tim Walz joined New York congresswoman Alexandria Cortez to play Madden and Crazy Taxi on a Twitch stream that they streamed live as well. One moment that garnered a lot of attention was Walz telling AOC : “We're gonna win this election. We're gonna make you put a gavel in your hand in the House."
Many on the right, including Fox News , took this to mean that Walz appeared to promise idea amplified by Trump-affiliated conspiracy theorist Laura Loomer on X, who suggested this implied Ocasio-Cortez might be in line for the role.
In legislative contexts, references to “the gavel” often symbolise power and authority within Congress, traditionally associated with the Speaker and control of the House, a position Republicans are eager to retain. Walz’s comment arose during a discussion about Ocasio-Cortez’s membership on a House task force on artificial intelligence. He expressed his appreciation for her involvement, remarking that people often view politics with “cynicism.” He then stated that Democrats aimed to win the election and “put a gavel in your hand in the House, maybe for that committee, to get something done.” He clarified that whoever holds “the gavel” in the House wields significant influence, shaping decisions and driving priorities, encouraging listeners to stay engaged if they want representatives with a tangible agenda.
Walz’s remarks suggested the broad powers held by the majority party in Congress, not limited to the Speaker alone. Committee chairs, who belong to the ruling party, also wield gavels during hearings. Although the Bipartisan Task Force on AI is not a formal committee and Ocasio-Cortez does not chair it, she is the ranking Democrat on the subcommittee on energy and mineral resources, potentially becoming chair if Democrats secure control of the House.
Ergo, Democrats could indeed “put a gavel” in her hand without her becoming Speaker, contrary to the assumption made by many conservatives. After her election in 2018, Ocasio-Cortez briefly presided over the House in Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s chair in May 2019, as part of a “routine rotation,” Reuters reported, a duty shared among House majority members.
Ocasio-Cortez underscored Walz’s point, adding that gavels in Democratic hands would lead to hearings, investigations, and discussions on topics like the Supreme Court and Big Pharma. In reality, the next Speaker will likely be either the current Speaker, Rep. Mike Johnson, or House Minority Leader, Rep. Hakeem Jeffries, depending on the outcome of the Nov. 5 elections and subsequent leadership votes.
Republicans will need a net gain of two Senate seats to secure control if Harris wins; however, with a Trump-Vance victory, they would require only one seat, given the Vice President’s role in breaking ties. In the House, Republicans are defending a narrow majority, while Democrats need just five seats to reclaim control. Together, these dynamics create a genuine possibility for Republicans to secure the presidency, House, and Senate in 2024.
Many on the right, including Fox News , took this to mean that Walz appeared to promise idea amplified by Trump-affiliated conspiracy theorist Laura Loomer on X, who suggested this implied Ocasio-Cortez might be in line for the role.
In legislative contexts, references to “the gavel” often symbolise power and authority within Congress, traditionally associated with the Speaker and control of the House, a position Republicans are eager to retain. Walz’s comment arose during a discussion about Ocasio-Cortez’s membership on a House task force on artificial intelligence. He expressed his appreciation for her involvement, remarking that people often view politics with “cynicism.” He then stated that Democrats aimed to win the election and “put a gavel in your hand in the House, maybe for that committee, to get something done.” He clarified that whoever holds “the gavel” in the House wields significant influence, shaping decisions and driving priorities, encouraging listeners to stay engaged if they want representatives with a tangible agenda.
Walz’s remarks suggested the broad powers held by the majority party in Congress, not limited to the Speaker alone. Committee chairs, who belong to the ruling party, also wield gavels during hearings. Although the Bipartisan Task Force on AI is not a formal committee and Ocasio-Cortez does not chair it, she is the ranking Democrat on the subcommittee on energy and mineral resources, potentially becoming chair if Democrats secure control of the House.
Ergo, Democrats could indeed “put a gavel” in her hand without her becoming Speaker, contrary to the assumption made by many conservatives. After her election in 2018, Ocasio-Cortez briefly presided over the House in Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s chair in May 2019, as part of a “routine rotation,” Reuters reported, a duty shared among House majority members.
Ocasio-Cortez underscored Walz’s point, adding that gavels in Democratic hands would lead to hearings, investigations, and discussions on topics like the Supreme Court and Big Pharma. In reality, the next Speaker will likely be either the current Speaker, Rep. Mike Johnson, or House Minority Leader, Rep. Hakeem Jeffries, depending on the outcome of the Nov. 5 elections and subsequent leadership votes.
Republicans will need a net gain of two Senate seats to secure control if Harris wins; however, with a Trump-Vance victory, they would require only one seat, given the Vice President’s role in breaking ties. In the House, Republicans are defending a narrow majority, while Democrats need just five seats to reclaim control. Together, these dynamics create a genuine possibility for Republicans to secure the presidency, House, and Senate in 2024.
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