AOC proposes 'coalition government' with Democrat chairs after McCarthy fails to secure speaker vote

New York Democrat Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez is proposed the possibility of forming a "coalition government" that could even result in Democratic committee chairmen if GOP Rep. Kevin McCarthy failed to win his bid for House speaker.

Ocasio-Cartez, a leading House progressive, told MSNBC on Tuesday that if Republicans cannot unite behind one candidate for speaker that "McCarthy's team may have to come to the Democratic Party."

McCarthy lost three rounds of voting on Tuesday, and two more on Wednesday, in his attempt to become speaker, as 20 conservative Republicans defected from the party to vote against him. 

Pondering Tuesday evening about what would happen if McCarthy calls in Democrats for help, Ocasio-Cortez said: "It is rather unprecedented. Could it result in a potential coalition government? Could we get Democratic chairs of committees as a result? We don't know."

Ocasio-Cortez's proposal may happen.

Nebraska Rep. Don Bacon, a moderate Republican, Wednesday that his party is already in "preliminary talks" with Democrats about supporting a "consensus candidate," The Hill reported.

McCarthy needs to reach 218 votes to become speaker, and he received 201 in the fourth round.