New York – Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, a Democratic Congresswoman from New York and a member of the House Oversight Committee, has been vocal about her dissatisfaction with her party’s performance. Despite Democrats holding the majority in the Senate, she feels they’re not doing enough. It’s rare for Ocasio-Cortez to make such comments, but she highlighted that with 51 seats, the Democrats are not using their advantage effectively. She’s pushing for her party to be more active and make better use of their oversight powers.
Seeking effectiveness and actions
“I would love if the Senate gavels were put to use, and all of them need to be put to use,” Ocasio-Cortez told Brian Beutler, the author of the progressive Off Message newsletter. “I don’t know if most people in the country even know what party is in the Senate majority at times,” AOC added.
Democrats still hold power in the Senate
During the 2022 elections, the Democrats lost their grip on the House but managed to keep their hold on the Senate. Yet, there’s been a drop in their eagerness to push for oversight and holding people accountable. This shift has led to growing disappointment among many party members, especially Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.
Challenges facing the Senate
Ocasio-Cortez has pointed out a particular challenge the Senate faces: its long-standing image as a place of bipartisan cooperation and a certain “clubbiness,” a stark contrast to the more confrontational and straightforward debates seen in the House. She believes this difference plays a part in the current situation.
Missed opportunities in the Senate
Following the 2022 midterm elections, the Democrats were able to increase their majority in the Senate, securing full control over committees and the newfound capability to issue subpoenas based on party-line votes. This marked a significant change from the evenly split 50-50 Senate during the initial two years of Joe Biden’s presidency, where such unilateral action was not possible. The expanded majority offered the Democrats a critical opportunity to advance their oversight and investigative agendas, an opportunity that the congresswoman implies is not being fully utilized.
“I think the Senate sometimes, oftentimes, fears anything that could be seen as partisan,” Ocasio-Cortez said.
Going after the Supreme Court
“We need to go after the Supreme Court. The Supreme Court. And through the Supreme Court, we explore the entire network of issues that are most important to everyday Americans: The influence of dark money in creating a government that works against the American people, the majority of the American people,” AOC said.
“The erosion of abortion rights and reproductive freedom in the United States. The actual institution of the Supreme Court itself, and the complete lack of ethical or legal standards that they are subject to, and shedding light on it,” she added.
Leonard Leo and Harlan Crow subpoenas failed
The Senate Judiciary Committee voted on party lines in November agreed to allow subpoenas for Leonard Leo, a known conservative judicial activist, and Harlan Crow, a very wealthy supporter of the Republican party. However, these subpoenas haven’t been sent out because enforcing them would need 60 votes, a number hard to reach due to the Republican opposition.
The “filibuster” main issue
The committee has also looked into ethical concerns at the Supreme Court, but Ocasio-Cortez thinks they haven’t pushed hard enough. She believes her party too often relies on the Senate’s rule that requires 60 votes, known as the “filibuster,” stopping them from taking more action.
