(CNN) House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and one of the most high-profile freshmen members -- Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York -- met behind closed doors Friday following a few tumultuous weeks for the Democrats that have exposed a rift between party leaders and more progressive lawmakers new to Capitol Hill.

"Today, Congresswoman @RepAOC and I sat down to discuss working together to meet the needs of our districts and our country, fairness in our economy and diversity in our country," Pelosi tweeted following the meeting with a picture of the two lawmakers.

Today, Congresswoman @RepAOC and I sat down to discuss working together to meet the needs of our districts and our country, fairness in our economy and diversity in our country. pic.twitter.com/eVp1LS0Gpw — Nancy Pelosi (@SpeakerPelosi) July 26, 2019

At a news conference later Friday, Pelosi disputed the idea that there was any "hatchet" that required burying between the two lawmakers -- despite times in the past month when they've both criticized each other publicly -- and described Ocasio-Cortez as "very gracious."

"I've always felt, again it's like you're in a family," Pelosi said, when asked about differences with Ocasio-Cortez. "In a family, you have your differences, but you're still a family. Does your family always agree on everything?"

Ocasio-Cortez told reporters Friday that it was a "positive meeting and productive."

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