Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez chided House colleague Tulsi Gabbard for refusing to vote in favor or against President Trump’s impeachment.
“Today was very consequential, and to not take a stand one way or another, on a day of such great consequence to this country, I think is quite difficult,” Ocasio-Cortez, 30, told reporters after the vote Wednesday night. “We are sent here to lead.”
The New York Democrat added, “Whenever we have a vote, we should vote ‘yes’ and we should vote ‘no.’ Voting ‘present’ is a very tough position to be in.”
Gabbard, who is running for the 2020 Democratic presidential nomination, voted “present” when House members were asked to consider two articles of impeachment, one charging Trump with abuse of power and the other with obstruction of Congress.
“After doing my due diligence in reviewing the 658-page impeachment report, I came to the conclusion that I could not in good conscience vote either yes or no. I am standing in the center and have decided to vote ‘present,’” Gabbard, 38, said in a statement Wednesday.
“Throughout my life, whether through serving in the military or in Congress, I’ve always worked to do what is in the best interests of our country. Not what’s best for me politically or what’s best for my political party,” the Iraq War veteran and Hawaii National Guard major added.
The House voted nearly along party lines to impeach Trump, making him the third president in U.S. history to be impeached. Only Democrats and one independent voted in favor of the two articles. All Republicans voted against it and were joined by two Democrats, one of whom is planning to switch to the GOP.
[Opinion: Enraged liberals revive ‘Russian asset’ smears against Tulsi Gabbard]
