Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez’s climate change blueprint has been labelled a “green dream” by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi.
Mrs Pelosi welcomed the New York freshman lawmaker’s “enthusiasm” but stopped short of supporting the Green New Deal.
Ms Ocasio-Cortez said she was not offended that her resolution was branded a “dream” by the House Speaker and fellow Democrat, saying she did not consider it a dismissive term.
She also downplayed her absence from a select committee studying climate change.
The Democrat said she was asked by Mrs Pelosi serve on the committee, but declined because it focuses on investigations.
Mrs Pelosi said: "It will be one of several or maybe many suggestions that we receive.
“The green dream, or whatever they call it, nobody knows what it is, but they're for it, right?"
The Green New Deal aims to develop a carbon-neutral economy in 10 years, but does not set a date for ending fossil fuel use.
It also endorses universal healthcare, a jobs guarantee and free higher education.
Sixty members of the House and nine senators are reportedly co-sponsoring the resolution, including some presidential candidates.
The deal goes far beyond the Clean Power Plan proposed by President Barack Obama.
Donald Trump scrapped Obama's plan, and the president and the Republican-controlled Senate are likely to oppose this one, too.
