Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., said Tuesday that the Democratic Party remains “united” on fiscal and economic issues in the face of a Washington appearance by Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, the socialist who defeated Rep. Joe Crowley, D-N.Y., and continues to critique the party for not being progressive enough.
“On economic issues, Democrats are united in a very strong way,” Schumer told reporters at the weekly Democratic leadership press conference after being asked whether he’s worried that Ocasio-Cortez might divide the party.
“We’re all for, contrary to what our Republican friends are, we’re all for improving healthcare and lowering the costs. We’re all for making it easier for middle class people and people trying to get there to get a good job,” Schumer said. “The unity on issues is very, very strong.”
[Opinion: Democratic socialism isn’t just stupid, it conflicts with the Constitution]
The Senate Democratic leader said that he spoke to Ocasio-Cortez “a while back.”
Since her June victory over Rep. Joe Crowley, D-N.Y., Ocasio-Cortez has been praised by some Democrats as a candidate who wants to abolish ICE and replace House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif. Ocasio-Cortez, 28, recently appeared in Kansas alongside Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., for a political rally for James Thompson, a progressive candidate in the state.
Other Democrats, however, have warned Ocasio-Cortez to slow down and avoid making enemies in the Democratic conference ahead of her likely election in November.
“Meteors fizzle out,” said Rep. Alcee Hastings, D-Fla., last week.
In addition, a number of members have expressed frustration with Ocasio-Cortez. Congressional Black Caucus members told the Washington Examiner Tuesday that they were upset with her recent trip to Missouri to stump for a progressive challenger to incumbent Rep. Lacy Clay, D-Mo.
Ocasio-Cortez met with a host of House Democratic members on Tuesday during her trip to Washington, including Rep. Ro Khanna, D-Calif., Rep. Mark Pocan, D-Wis., and Rep. Raul Grijalva, D-Ariz.
“I said be bold, be who you are. Every member of Congress has a right to support the issues they care about the candidates they care about,” said Khanna. “Be respectful, build relationships but be true to yourself.”
