For several months, people have wondered whether freshman Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., was actually dictating the House agenda rather than Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif. But now we must ask, is Ocasio-Cortez also dictating the strategy of Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer?
On Tuesday, facing an embarrassing and divisive vote on the Green New Deal resolution, which is supported by the base of the party but opposed by those closer to the center, Democrats decided to vote “present” en masse. The fact that no Democrat was willing to go on record as supporting the resolution, despite the fact that it was co-sponsored by six presidential candidates, on the surface, represents some pushback against the idea of growing momentum for this unrealistic proposal.
But Ocasio-Cortez says she told Senate Democrats how to vote. “I encouraged them to vote present, along w/ others,” she tweeted.
Because I encouraged them to vote present, along w/ others.
McConnell tried to rush the #GreenNewDeal straight to the floor without a hearing.
The real question we should be asking: Why does the Senate GOP refuse to hold any major hearings on climate change? https://t.co/de8oKOXeJf
— Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@AOC) March 26, 2019
This isn’t the only example of Ocasio-Cortez boasting of her power. Last month, she declared “I’m the boss,” until other lawmakers come up with a proposal to address climate change.
