AOC Blasts ‘Confused’ Fellow Dem Fetterman After He Roasts Chaotic House Committee Yelling Match
Francis Chung/POLITICO via AP Images (L)/ AP Photo/Mariam Zuhaib (R)
Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) blasted Sen. John Fetterman (R-PA) after he took to social media to mock a chaotic yelling match involving Ocasio-Cortez and Reps. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) and Jasmine Crockett (D-TX).
“In the past, I’ve described the U.S. House as The Jerry Springer Show. Today, I’m apologizing to The Jerry Springer Show,” Fetterman wrote on X (formerly Twitter) in reaction to a CNN headline covering the intense verbal brawl.
During a Thursday House Oversight Committee hearing, Greene took to insulting Crockett’s appearance after the Democratic lawmaker questioned Greene asking about lawmakers working with the daughter of the judge presiding over Donald Trump’s hush money trial. Rep. Dan Goldman (D-NY) has reportedly used a consulting firm that employs the daughter of Judge Juan Merchan.
The hearing was meant to discuss a resolution holding Attorney General Merrick Garland in contempt of Congress, but House Oversight Chair James Comer (R-KY) quickly scrambled to regain control after Greene set off a firestorm by commenting that Crockett had “fake eyelashes.” Yelling ensued as both Crockett and Ocasio-Cortez pushed back on Greene, who refused to apologize.
Crockett eventually referred to Greene having a “bleached blonde, bad-built, butch body.”
Fetterman was one of many mocking the event on Friday. Fox & Friends co-host Lawrence Jones accused the lawmakers of acting “trashy,” while CNN’s Kasie Hunt was stunned she had watched a clip of actual elected officials.
Ocasio-Cortez was not pleased with Fetterman piling on. The two disagree on a wide range of issues, including the Israel-Hamas war. Ocasio-Cortez has supported a ceasefire, while Fetterman has been firm in his support of Israel’s actions, including Gaza strikes that led to thousands of civilian deaths.
“I understand you likely would not have stood up for your colleague and seem to be confused about racism and misogyny being a “both sides” issue,” Ocasio-Cortez wrote to Fetterman. “But I stand up to bullies, instead of becoming one. And to the women of Pennsylvania: I’d stand up for you too. Enjoy your Friday.”
I understand you likely would not have stood up for your colleague and seem to be confused about racism and misogyny being a “both sides” issue.
But I stand up to bullies, instead of becoming one.
And to the women of Pennsylvania: I’d stand up for you too.
Enjoy your Friday. https://t.co/cInF4YXO2y
— Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@AOC) May 17, 2024
Other critics also hit back at Fetterman, pointing out that it was Greene who initiated the chaotic spat when she broke decorum rules by insulting her colleague’s physical appearance.
To be clear, MTG insulted a colleague’s appearance, which aside from being wildly inappropriate, is also against Congressional rules. AOC actually tried to stand up for decorum and rules by asking for those comments to be struck. https://t.co/X87bR1owaq
— Armand Domalewski (@ArmandDoma) May 17, 2024
In another post on Friday, Ocasio-Cortez shot back at a statement from House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) who said the House Oversight chaos was “not a good look” for Congress.
Remember: the hearing was about contempt proceedings – otherwise known as a “markup hearing,” where the full committee must vote at the end.
In markups, both parties offer amendments. This is standard. Amendments are voted on and then the full proposal.
Dems had 7 amendments.
— Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@AOC) May 17, 2024
Ocasio-Cortez knocked Johnson for “both-sidesing” the issue.
“Republicans VOTED in [committee] to allow the rhetoric that was used against Ms. Crockett last night,” she wrote. “Notice that when Dems have the majority, these things don’t happen.”
