AOC Apologizes to Constituents for Iron Dome Vote, Cites Rush to Vote for Her Decision
Source: Newsweek
Progressive congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez apologized to her constituents for switching her "no" vote on Israel's Iron Dome missile defense system to "present" on Thursday.
Addressing her vote, Ocasio-Cortez said House leadership made a "reckless decision" in rushing the vote by calling it "within a matter of hours and without true consideration."
"I want to be clear that the decision to rush the votevirtually preventing any member from meaningfully consulting their communitywas both intentional and necessary," she wrote in a Friday letter to her constituents in New York's 14th congressional district.
She also criticized the legislative language for its "attempt to quietly slip this funding into routine legislation, without any of the usually-necessary committee debate, markup, or regular order."
Read more: https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/aoc-apologizes-to-constituents-for-iron-dome-vote-cites-rush-to-vote-for-her-decision/ar-AAON0rd?li=BBnb7Kz
marble falls
(57,479 posts)Response to marble falls (Reply #1)
empedocles This message was self-deleted by its author.
NurseJackie
(42,862 posts)The first part of your statement doesn't hold water either. This could have been easily avoided, and that's not smart. Blaming others or "circumstances" isn't smart... it's not owning one's mistake. All I'm trying to say is that in my estimation, a strong and smart leader would not be making excuses and offering justifications or go to such great lengths to offer weak criticisms of a political process that wasn't actually "rushed" and one that should (by now) be well-understood.
I wonder what the Jewish population is in her district? Will this hurt her going forward? Will her district be redrawn to include more Jewish Americans. I know that New York State has a large Jewish population... it seems unlikely to me that she would make a strong challenger to Chuck Schumer, but I certainly encourage her to try. It would be interesting to watch.
points for clarity
George II
(67,782 posts)Riverdale is predominantly Democratic and Jewish. Of the 16 houses of worship, nine of them are Jewish. There's also a Jewish volunteer ambulance service.
Riverdale is currently part of Bowman's 16th District. Interestingly, Bowman was the only member of the "squad" that voted for the Iron Dome bill.
lapucelle
(18,399 posts)and the sophomore representative from NY-14 can lay claim both to having voted against it and to not having voted against it.
And both representatives proactively blamed Democratic leadership for their decisions, rather than take personal responsibility for what might be a purely career-related calculation.
Wow.
betsuni
(25,788 posts)NurseJackie
(42,862 posts)We're being ignored, it seems. (Oh well.)
empedocles
(15,751 posts)marble falls
(57,479 posts)... with house leadership.
Me.
(35,454 posts)Your vote is your responsibility.
PatSeg
(47,741 posts)One without all the explaining and excuses.
Me.
(35,454 posts)and I keep wondering when she is going to open a real office in her district instead of a phone that's never answered in someone else's office.
PatSeg
(47,741 posts)I think young legislators come to office filled with lots of energy and great ideas, but unfortunately often little relevant experience.
I was once like you are now
And I know that it's not easy
To be calm when you've found
Something going on
But take your time, think a lot
Think of everything you've got
For you will still be here tomorrow
But your dreams may not
I appreciate the optimism and I often agree with the intent, but I know it takes more to bring about lasting change. Governing is very serious business and involves a lot of give and take, as well as grace and humility. Republicans may resort to publicity stunts, but Democrats need to take their jobs very seriously and accept they will not always get what they want. So if I'm critical sometimes of the younger representatives, it is because I truly WAS once like they are now.
Me.
(35,454 posts)her site says she has one in Jackson heights and a satellite office but the pic is the same foe both and ...
"Any NY-14 constituent needing assistance from our office or wishing to share their opinion on a piece of legislation is welcome to email our District Office. If you live outside of our district, please use the phone number for out-of-district calls: (202) 225-3965"
PatSeg
(47,741 posts)I see what you mean about the pictures for both the Jackson Heights and the Bronx is the same. Probably just a stock photo I suppose.
Me.
(35,454 posts)can you walk in? And that phone number is an issue. When you're in trouble you need to talk to someone and there has been big problems in her districts with the flooding and all. That said, I also think Schumer is difficult to reach by phone and he has several big offices and lots of help. These people get 3 million a year for expenses like staff.
PatSeg
(47,741 posts)early in their term. Save the showboating and publicity for when they are settled. I didn't realize that got 3 million a year for expenses.
Me.
(35,454 posts)10. A $1.2 million to $3.3 million allowance
Members of the House receive a $900,000 annual allowance for a staff as well as a $250,000 budget for travel and office expenses, paid for entirely by taxpayers. Each senator, on the other hand, gets a budget close to $3.3 million based on figures from the Congressional Research Service. Again, certain companies do offer lavish pay packages and perks to employees so it may be a bit hypocritical to pick on Congress for this one point. However, Im not aware of any business out there where all employees equally get at least $1.2 million in expenses at their disposal.
https://www.fool.com/investing/general/2013/10/20/10-perks-congress-has-that-you-dont.aspx
She doesn't get the 3 mil but 900K is a lot of staff money
PatSeg
(47,741 posts)of qualified people, that probably would add up very quickly. If she only paid them $40,000 a year, that is just 23 employees, for both DC and in her district. Then for a district office, there would be rent, utilities, computers/phones, and furniture.
Me.
(35,454 posts)Last edited Sat Sep 25, 2021, 10:14 PM - Edit history (1)
I seriously doubt she has 23
JustAnotherGen
(32,025 posts)They vote - or vote present - on their own.
George II
(67,782 posts)....that was voted out of the overriding bill the day before.
This is how Congress has worked for decades.
PS - she'd already voted Nay and changed it at the last minute.
Me.
(35,454 posts)It's their staffs who do the reading and deliver the cliff notes version to the legislators so all this nonsense about not having time to read it is just so much hogwash
George II
(67,782 posts)Hortensis
(58,785 posts)congressional staff of dozens, plus the legislative experts serving those on the committees she's assigned to.
Me.
(35,454 posts)NurseJackie
(42,862 posts)... and that's simply not the case, is it? So... in addition to being a rather short, direct and straightforward bill... she has OTHERS on staff who can "translate" it for her, in the event that the legalese gets to be a little too deep for the average sophomore lawmaker to schlep through... AND she could have easily obtained that assistance.
Now I'm wondering: did she get anyone to help her? And if so, why is she complaining that she didn't have time to read/review/understand everything. OR... if not, why not?
Hortensis
(58,785 posts)support, oppose, negotiate, use for publicity, for or against whom, etc, etc. Of course, this defense system was not exactly a new item.
NH Ethylene
(30,824 posts)Snippets from the article:
Ocasio-Cortez was seen crying on the House floor after breaking with other members of the Squad and changing her vote on funding the Iron Dome. She has previously been criticized by pro-Israel groups for her opposition to funding the Iron Dome.
"I want to be clear with our community that I am opposed to this bill, but ultimately cast a PRESENT vote," the congresswoman added.
Some have suggested that Ocasio-Cortez's last-minute decision was a strategic move to position herself run for Senate in New York, mounting a primary challenge to Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer in 2022.
Demsrule86
(68,788 posts)she will remain a house member, and there is nothing wrong with that.
NurseJackie
(42,862 posts)I do not believe she'll win, but it will be a good experience for her.
PatSeg
(47,741 posts)Seeing political realities outside the bubble of her own district. The world is not as simple or black and white as some new politicians believe. I think that awareness tends to come with experience.
George II
(67,782 posts)....3 million Jews in NYS, mostly in the NYC Metropolitan area. That's about one-third the population of Israel and half the Jewish population of Israel.
There are more Jews living in NYC than both Jerusalem and Tel Aviv combined.
Hortensis
(58,785 posts)Or? Just forcing her to become broadened and more informed? I've wondered if she'd like to break away but can't risk Justice Dems and their like ripping her apart.
Easy to imagine it'd be a bad experience for much of her national following. To win a statewide race she'd have to appeal to both liberal and conservative moderates, private and business, appalling the silly billies to whom that means only corrupt corporate lackeys.
George II
(67,782 posts)NurseJackie
(42,862 posts)Only, it remains uncertain to me if she's still committed to a career in politics. It seems as though, rather recently, she was openly expressing her frustrations with the job not being all it was cracked-up to be... and hinting that she's not very enthusiastic about running again.
I can't recall the exact quote, but I do remember being struck by the fact that she seemed to be "giving up" rather quickly. But... then again, politics isn't for everyone. It's certainly not a job that I'd be willing to do.
All I'm trying to say is that if someone's heart isn't in it... and if someone would rather be doing other things and feel that they can make a bigger difference elsewhere (like grand fundraisers, and ribbon-cutting ceremonies, and tweeting, and writing books, and talk-shows, etc.) then who am I to second-guess what they feel is right for them.
Hortensis
(58,785 posts)with the Jewish communities than a no.
NurseJackie
(42,862 posts)... I think that the likely future constituents (in a redrawn district) will be able to see through it as well. In the long run, people who do such things do themselves no favors. It was unnecessary overkill to also attack and insult party leadership and cast one's self as being singled-out, snubbed or victimized by leadership. Things like that serve no good purpose and any observer who's even halfway paying attention will see it for what it is.
Hortensis
(58,785 posts)the corrupt Democratic establishment is her national brand, of course. Her young/socialist national donor base expect to see her causing trouble, so here she is coming through with at least the appearance of it.
Party leaders want her connection to the young people who listen to her, though, and the cost of maintaining that is presumably handlable. Lol, thinking of the over 200 chickens in their herd. What a job!
JohnSJ
(92,502 posts)NurseJackie
(42,862 posts)It's there for anyone to read. It's disorganized and long-winded... but if one schleps through it all, the insults and smears aren't that difficult to spot.
JohnSJ
(92,502 posts)NurseJackie
(42,862 posts)betsuni
(25,788 posts)George II
(67,782 posts)...the bill. It was virtually the same thing that they voted on earlier in the week (when it was removed from the overlying funding bill), and even if it was "new", it was issued about 36 hours prior to the vote on the standalone bill. On top of that, it is ONE PAGE and only 406 words!
Here's the bill in it's entirety:
H.R.5323 - Iron Dome Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2022
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 5323 Introduced in House (IH)]
117th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 5323
Making supplemental appropriations for the fiscal year ending September
30, 2022, and for other purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
September 22, 2021
Ms. DeLauro introduced the following bill; which was referred to the
Committee on Appropriations, and in addition to the Committee on the
Budget, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in
each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the
jurisdiction of the committee concerned
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
Making supplemental appropriations for the fiscal year ending September
30, 2022, and for other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
That the following sums are appropriated, out of any money in the
Treasury not otherwise appropriated, for the fiscal year ending
September 30, 2022, and for other purposes, namely:
DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
PROCUREMENT
Procurement, Defense-Wide
For an additional amount for ``Procurement, Defense-Wide'',
$1,000,000,000, to remain available until September 30, 2024, for the
Secretary of Defense to provide to the Government of Israel for the
procurement of the Iron Dome defense system to counter short-range
rocket threats: Provided, That such funds shall be provided to address
emergent requirements in support of Operation Guardian of the Walls:
Provided further, That such funds shall be transferred pursuant to an
exchange of letters and are in addition to funds provided pursuant to
the U.S.-Israel Iron Dome Procurement Agreement, as amended: Provided
further, That nothing in the preceding provisos shall be construed to
apply to amounts made available in prior appropriations Acts for the
procurement of the Iron Dome defense system: Provided further, That
such amount is designated by the Congress as being for an emergency
requirement pursuant to section 4001(a)(1) and section 4001(b) of S.
Con. Res. 14 (117th Congress), the concurrent resolution on the budget
for fiscal year 2022.
GENERAL PROVISIONS--THIS ACT
Sec. 101. Each amount appropriated or made available by this Act
is in addition to amounts otherwise appropriated for the fiscal year
involved.
Sec. 102. Unless otherwise provided for by this Act, the
additional amounts appropriated by this Act to appropriations accounts
shall be available under the authorities and conditions applicable to
such appropriations accounts for fiscal year 2022.
This Act may be cited as the ``Iron Dome Supplemental
Appropriations Act, 2022''.
NurseJackie
(42,862 posts)Anyone who claims that the process was rushed is being disingenuous. That's difficult to swallow. Weak sauce. The rest of the smears and attacks and insults on party leadership (Hoyer and Pelosi) were unnecessary and undercut the sincerity of all the other justifications. I've read analysis in several places that speculated this type of vote is a cynical political calculation intended to further one's career. I'm inclined to agree with that. My estimation is that it's something that will end up tarnishing one's career... especially considering the great effort put forth in blaming others, or blaming the party, or blaming the process. That was unnecessary.
George II
(67,782 posts)NurseJackie
(42,862 posts)tavernier
(12,415 posts)lapucelle
(18,399 posts)Sincere "apologies" generally involve taking responsibility and avoid shifting the blame.
As for consultation with constituents, most members find the time during recesses and routine visits to their home district offices.
***************************************************************************************
Even Jamaal Bowman didn't resort to the "I felt rushed" justification this time around, as he has in the past on other measures.
"We just got the bill text like a half an hour ago. Absolutely no time to read it, no time to understand it, no time to digest it, so that's reason number one," Bowman said. [H.R.3237: Emergency Security Supplemental Appropriations Act
https://www.cnn.com/2021/07/29/politics/capitol-security-bill-senate/index.html
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"The problem is leadership (will) just throw something on our table, give us about five minutes to decide what we're going to do and then tries to move forward with it," Bowman told reporters [H.R.4350: National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2022].
https://www.reuters.com/world/us/military-aid-israel-removed-us-bill-fund-government-2021-09-21/
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Rather than take responsibility, the sophomore representative from NY-14 shifts the blame to Democratic leadership, casting suspicion on their strategy and motives, as if Nancy Pelosi and Steny Hoyer are somehow responsible for what some are saying is a politically calculated decision to sit this one out.
"I want to be clear that the decision to rush the votevirtually preventing any member from meaningfully consulting their communitywas both intentional and necessary," she wrote in a Friday letter to her constituents in New York's 14th congressional district.
snip================================================================
https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/aoc-apologizes-to-constituents-for-iron-dome-vote-cites-rush-to-vote-for-her-decision/ar-AAON0rd?li=BBnb7Kz
George II
(67,782 posts)...and the Thursday vote, Bowman did take the time to read the very short (1 page, 406 words) bill, it is about a 10-minute read. He wound up voting for the final bill, the only member of the "squad" to do so.
lapucelle
(18,399 posts)And why the demonstration of "heartbreak" near the podium in full view of the cameras if the sophomore representative from NY-14 was intending to sit this one out?
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Link to tweet
NurseJackie
(42,862 posts)Others have expressed similar queries that wonder the same thing. I have my own theories about that, but my friends who know me already know my feelings on this matter, so for obvious reasons, it's best that I not be too candid in expressing my observations.
Have a great weekend, Lapucelle!
NurseJackie
(42,862 posts)Just for fun: Here's a word-count comparison between the actual bill and her explanation/justification/apology (or whatever anyone wants to call it.)
The Actual Bill:
1 Page
406 Words
3111 Characters
Her Whatever it Was:
1 Page
924 Words
5544 Characters
And much of the bill was legalese House boilerplate, no substance. The point being... it wasn't that difficult to read or understand.
Before anyone asks... No! I did not count the words and characters by hand. Who has the patience? --- Actually, it's easy to just cut-and-paste into MS Word and it will analyze and compare it automatically.
George II
(67,782 posts)....Jewish population. In fact Jewish houses of worship in Riverdale outnumber all others by more than 2-1 (9 vs. 4).
If this was a political calculation on the part of either (Bowman Yea for Jewish votes, she Present for non-Jewish votes), it just might backfire.
Recently released drafts of the NYS redistricting map indicate that Riverdale may be shifted from Bowman's NY-16 to her NY-14.