SUBSCRIBE TO OUR FREE NEWSLETTER
Daily news & progressive opinion—funded by the people, not the corporations—delivered straight to your inbox.
5
#000000
#FFFFFF
5
#000000
#FFFFFF
Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., speaks during a House Oversight and Reform Committee markup on Wednesday, June 12, 2019. (Photo: Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call)
'Hell No': Ocasio-Cortez Denounces Pelosi-Approved Vote on McConnell's Border Bill Without New Protections for Children
"Under no circumstances should the House vote for a McConnell-only bill w/ no negotiation with Democrats," said the Democrat from New York
Jun 27, 2019
Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez was among the progressive Democrats in the U.S. House of Representatives on Thursday who immediately pushed back after House Speaker Nancy Pelosi announced a decision to vote on a border funding package approved by the Senate--controlled by Republican Majority Leader Mitch McConnell--that includes none of the suggested provisions designed to end the separation of families and the abusive treatment of immigrant children.
"History will not look fondly on this moment." --Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.)"Under no circumstances should the House vote for a McConnell-only bill w/ no negotiation with Democrats," Ocasio-Cortez tweeted after the vote was announced.
"Hell no," she added. "That's an abdication of power we should refuse to accept. They will keep hurting kids if we do."
According to The Hill:
House Democrats will vote Thursday on a clean Senate-passed bill to address the border crisis, marking a blow to Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) and liberal members who had demanded additional protections for migrant children.
Rep. Henry Cuellar (D-Texas), a border lawmaker, announced the plan as he emerged from an emergency meeting in Pelosi's office. And other lawmakers said Democratic leaders are already whipping the $4.6 billion Senate proposal.
Ocasio-Cortez, however, appeared furious and said that neither McConnell nor President Donald Trump could be trusted:
\u201cThis Senate Bill will have us write a $4.6 Billion blank check (incl military $) for the border w NO accountability - just a verbal pinky promise.\n\nTrump is not to be trusted with protecting our immigrants. Why must that even be stated? We need hard lines of protection, in ink.\u201d— Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez) 1561667090
Earlier this week, it was Ocasio-Cortez--along with Reps. Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.), Ayanna Pressley (D-Mass.), and Rashida Tlaib (D-Mich.)--who stood firmly against giving Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) any additional funding until the separation of families and the illegal detention of children were brought to an end.
As The Hill reports, it was Rep. Josh Gottheimer (D-NJ), a leader of the bipartisan Problem Solvers Caucus, who told Pelosi Thursday morning that he had rallied enough moderate Democrats to take down the rule on the amended House bill.
In response, Rep. Mark Pocan (D-Wis.), co-chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, expressed outrage at Gottheimer and other right-wing Democrats:
With Congress soon headed for a July 4th recess, Ocasio-Cortez said it was wrong to rush through a vote without adding amendments to the bill that would insert protections for children and their families.
\u201cWe have time. We can stay in town. We can at LEAST add some amendments to this Senate bill. But to pass it completely unamended with no House input? That seems a bridge too far.\u201d— Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez) 1561663438
Congresswoman Tlaib cited the fact that the vote passage of the Senate version included yes votes from a number of Democrats--a fact said she will not be forgotten when next year's election arrives:
\u201cWe won't forget in #2020. The bill that the Senate passed (with Dem support!!) does not treat this as a humanitarian crisis, but instead writes a blank check to the very administration that caused this crisis. #ForJakelin #CloseTheCamps\u201d— Rashida Tlaib (@Rashida Tlaib) 1561665667
"Senate Dems put us in a terrible position," said Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D-Wash.), co-chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus. The Senate version of the funding bill, she said, "does absolutely nothing to hold a rogue administration accountable for cruelty. It has no provisions to ensure $$ goes to the children or that for-profit agencies are held accountable. I am a giant no vote on that bill."
Congresswoman Omar also weighed in:
\u201cLet\u2019s be clear, we can\u2019t cosign these horrendous xenophobic policies of family separation, metering, and Remain in Mexico. That is what we are ultimately doing with this vote. \n\nHistory will not look fondly on this moment.\n\nCall your member and ask them to vote NO!\u201d— Ilhan Omar (@Ilhan Omar) 1561664032
Ezra Levin, co-director of the progressive advocacy group Indivisible, suggested it was ridiculous of Pelosi to agree to the vote even as she gives President Donald Trump a free pass on impeachment proceedings and McConnell has shown no inkling of caving to Democrats on any of their key legislative items.
"Pelosi, who is blocking Judiciary impeachment proceedings," said Levin in a tweet, "now unilaterally caves to McConnell's demands on the bad immigration bill. Not clear why she was so eager to become Speaker - seems happy acting like a Minority Leader."
Join Us: News for people demanding a better world
Common Dreams is powered by optimists who believe in the power of informed and engaged citizens to ignite and enact change to make the world a better place. We're hundreds of thousands strong, but every single supporter makes the difference. Your contribution supports this bold media model—free, independent, and dedicated to reporting the facts every day. Stand with us in the fight for economic equality, social justice, human rights, and a more sustainable future. As a people-powered nonprofit news outlet, we cover the issues the corporate media never will. |
Our work is licensed under Creative Commons (CC BY-NC-ND 3.0). Feel free to republish and share widely.
alexandria ocasio-cortezcustoms and border protection (cbp)democratic partyimmigrationmitch mcconnellus houseus senate
Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez was among the progressive Democrats in the U.S. House of Representatives on Thursday who immediately pushed back after House Speaker Nancy Pelosi announced a decision to vote on a border funding package approved by the Senate--controlled by Republican Majority Leader Mitch McConnell--that includes none of the suggested provisions designed to end the separation of families and the abusive treatment of immigrant children.
"History will not look fondly on this moment." --Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.)"Under no circumstances should the House vote for a McConnell-only bill w/ no negotiation with Democrats," Ocasio-Cortez tweeted after the vote was announced.
"Hell no," she added. "That's an abdication of power we should refuse to accept. They will keep hurting kids if we do."
According to The Hill:
House Democrats will vote Thursday on a clean Senate-passed bill to address the border crisis, marking a blow to Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) and liberal members who had demanded additional protections for migrant children.
Rep. Henry Cuellar (D-Texas), a border lawmaker, announced the plan as he emerged from an emergency meeting in Pelosi's office. And other lawmakers said Democratic leaders are already whipping the $4.6 billion Senate proposal.
Ocasio-Cortez, however, appeared furious and said that neither McConnell nor President Donald Trump could be trusted:
\u201cThis Senate Bill will have us write a $4.6 Billion blank check (incl military $) for the border w NO accountability - just a verbal pinky promise.\n\nTrump is not to be trusted with protecting our immigrants. Why must that even be stated? We need hard lines of protection, in ink.\u201d— Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez) 1561667090
Earlier this week, it was Ocasio-Cortez--along with Reps. Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.), Ayanna Pressley (D-Mass.), and Rashida Tlaib (D-Mich.)--who stood firmly against giving Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) any additional funding until the separation of families and the illegal detention of children were brought to an end.
As The Hill reports, it was Rep. Josh Gottheimer (D-NJ), a leader of the bipartisan Problem Solvers Caucus, who told Pelosi Thursday morning that he had rallied enough moderate Democrats to take down the rule on the amended House bill.
In response, Rep. Mark Pocan (D-Wis.), co-chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, expressed outrage at Gottheimer and other right-wing Democrats:
With Congress soon headed for a July 4th recess, Ocasio-Cortez said it was wrong to rush through a vote without adding amendments to the bill that would insert protections for children and their families.
\u201cWe have time. We can stay in town. We can at LEAST add some amendments to this Senate bill. But to pass it completely unamended with no House input? That seems a bridge too far.\u201d— Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez) 1561663438
Congresswoman Tlaib cited the fact that the vote passage of the Senate version included yes votes from a number of Democrats--a fact said she will not be forgotten when next year's election arrives:
\u201cWe won't forget in #2020. The bill that the Senate passed (with Dem support!!) does not treat this as a humanitarian crisis, but instead writes a blank check to the very administration that caused this crisis. #ForJakelin #CloseTheCamps\u201d— Rashida Tlaib (@Rashida Tlaib) 1561665667
"Senate Dems put us in a terrible position," said Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D-Wash.), co-chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus. The Senate version of the funding bill, she said, "does absolutely nothing to hold a rogue administration accountable for cruelty. It has no provisions to ensure $$ goes to the children or that for-profit agencies are held accountable. I am a giant no vote on that bill."
Congresswoman Omar also weighed in:
\u201cLet\u2019s be clear, we can\u2019t cosign these horrendous xenophobic policies of family separation, metering, and Remain in Mexico. That is what we are ultimately doing with this vote. \n\nHistory will not look fondly on this moment.\n\nCall your member and ask them to vote NO!\u201d— Ilhan Omar (@Ilhan Omar) 1561664032
Ezra Levin, co-director of the progressive advocacy group Indivisible, suggested it was ridiculous of Pelosi to agree to the vote even as she gives President Donald Trump a free pass on impeachment proceedings and McConnell has shown no inkling of caving to Democrats on any of their key legislative items.
"Pelosi, who is blocking Judiciary impeachment proceedings," said Levin in a tweet, "now unilaterally caves to McConnell's demands on the bad immigration bill. Not clear why she was so eager to become Speaker - seems happy acting like a Minority Leader."
Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez was among the progressive Democrats in the U.S. House of Representatives on Thursday who immediately pushed back after House Speaker Nancy Pelosi announced a decision to vote on a border funding package approved by the Senate--controlled by Republican Majority Leader Mitch McConnell--that includes none of the suggested provisions designed to end the separation of families and the abusive treatment of immigrant children.
"History will not look fondly on this moment." --Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.)"Under no circumstances should the House vote for a McConnell-only bill w/ no negotiation with Democrats," Ocasio-Cortez tweeted after the vote was announced.
"Hell no," she added. "That's an abdication of power we should refuse to accept. They will keep hurting kids if we do."
According to The Hill:
House Democrats will vote Thursday on a clean Senate-passed bill to address the border crisis, marking a blow to Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) and liberal members who had demanded additional protections for migrant children.
Rep. Henry Cuellar (D-Texas), a border lawmaker, announced the plan as he emerged from an emergency meeting in Pelosi's office. And other lawmakers said Democratic leaders are already whipping the $4.6 billion Senate proposal.
Ocasio-Cortez, however, appeared furious and said that neither McConnell nor President Donald Trump could be trusted:
\u201cThis Senate Bill will have us write a $4.6 Billion blank check (incl military $) for the border w NO accountability - just a verbal pinky promise.\n\nTrump is not to be trusted with protecting our immigrants. Why must that even be stated? We need hard lines of protection, in ink.\u201d— Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez) 1561667090
Earlier this week, it was Ocasio-Cortez--along with Reps. Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.), Ayanna Pressley (D-Mass.), and Rashida Tlaib (D-Mich.)--who stood firmly against giving Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) any additional funding until the separation of families and the illegal detention of children were brought to an end.
As The Hill reports, it was Rep. Josh Gottheimer (D-NJ), a leader of the bipartisan Problem Solvers Caucus, who told Pelosi Thursday morning that he had rallied enough moderate Democrats to take down the rule on the amended House bill.
In response, Rep. Mark Pocan (D-Wis.), co-chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, expressed outrage at Gottheimer and other right-wing Democrats:
With Congress soon headed for a July 4th recess, Ocasio-Cortez said it was wrong to rush through a vote without adding amendments to the bill that would insert protections for children and their families.
\u201cWe have time. We can stay in town. We can at LEAST add some amendments to this Senate bill. But to pass it completely unamended with no House input? That seems a bridge too far.\u201d— Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez) 1561663438
Congresswoman Tlaib cited the fact that the vote passage of the Senate version included yes votes from a number of Democrats--a fact said she will not be forgotten when next year's election arrives:
\u201cWe won't forget in #2020. The bill that the Senate passed (with Dem support!!) does not treat this as a humanitarian crisis, but instead writes a blank check to the very administration that caused this crisis. #ForJakelin #CloseTheCamps\u201d— Rashida Tlaib (@Rashida Tlaib) 1561665667
"Senate Dems put us in a terrible position," said Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D-Wash.), co-chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus. The Senate version of the funding bill, she said, "does absolutely nothing to hold a rogue administration accountable for cruelty. It has no provisions to ensure $$ goes to the children or that for-profit agencies are held accountable. I am a giant no vote on that bill."
Congresswoman Omar also weighed in:
\u201cLet\u2019s be clear, we can\u2019t cosign these horrendous xenophobic policies of family separation, metering, and Remain in Mexico. That is what we are ultimately doing with this vote. \n\nHistory will not look fondly on this moment.\n\nCall your member and ask them to vote NO!\u201d— Ilhan Omar (@Ilhan Omar) 1561664032
Ezra Levin, co-director of the progressive advocacy group Indivisible, suggested it was ridiculous of Pelosi to agree to the vote even as she gives President Donald Trump a free pass on impeachment proceedings and McConnell has shown no inkling of caving to Democrats on any of their key legislative items.
"Pelosi, who is blocking Judiciary impeachment proceedings," said Levin in a tweet, "now unilaterally caves to McConnell's demands on the bad immigration bill. Not clear why she was so eager to become Speaker - seems happy acting like a Minority Leader."
We've had enough. The 1% own and operate the corporate media. They are doing everything they can to defend the status quo, squash dissent and protect the wealthy and the powerful. The Common Dreams media model is different. We cover the news that matters to the 99%. Our mission? To inform. To inspire. To ignite change for the common good. How? Nonprofit. Independent. Reader-supported. Free to read. Free to republish. Free to share. With no advertising. No paywalls. No selling of your data. Thousands of small donations fund our newsroom and allow us to continue publishing. Can you chip in? We can't do it without you. Thank you.