Freshman Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., on Friday denied a report she warned fellow Democrats they risk a primary challenge if they cross the aisle and vote with Republicans.
“I didn’t say that they were putting themselves on a list for primaries,” Ocasio-Cortez said on Twitter in response to a New York Daily News story. “I said that by Dems distinguishing themselves by breaking off on procedural votes, they were inadvertently making a list of targets for the GOP and for progressive advocates on their pro-ICE vote.”
The Daily News and other outlets reported Ocasio-Cortez warned that members of her own party, not Republicans, would start targeting Democrats if they choose to vote with the GOP. This week, 26 Democrats voted for a Republican amendment to legislation expanding background checks. The amendment would require reporting illegal immigrants who attempt to purchase a gun to Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials.
Those sorts of votes have infuriated Democratic leaders, and Ocasio-Cortez’ own spokesman said she warned she and other Democrats would try to primary any party members who vote this way.
“She said that when activists ask her why she had to vote for a gun safety bill that also further empowers an agency that forcibly injects kids with psychotropic drugs, they’re going to want a list of names and she’s going to give it to them,” said spokesman Corbin Trent earlier in the week.
Ocasio-Cortez denied that’s what she meant and said Friday there are many ways Democrats might be targeted.
“There are plenty of means of targeting beyond campaigns,” she said. “One is procedural targeting on the floor, AKA more tough MTRs like the one we were discussing in mtg. Or targeting by way of advocacy, AKA getting a ton of constituent lobby days, crushing your office with phone calls, etc.”
The 26 Democrats, many from swing districts that favor President Trump, are under intense pressure from Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., to vote along the party line, no matter what the legislation. But the moderate Democrats are also likely targets of the GOP in 2020 and are eager to avoid voting too far left of their voter base.
Pelosi told the lawmakers if they stick with the party, the House Democratic fundraising arm will prioritize their re-election campaigns.
Ocasio-Cortez, in a later tweet on Friday, said party unity is critical and suggested the party response to disloyal Democrats “can be” about the next election.
“It’s not all about elections, though much of it can be. It’s also about slowly creeping member positions to be more conservative, tradeoff communities of color, or weaken important legislation – no matter your party,” she said.
