Democrats who sided with Republicans on an amendment that would alert Immigration and Customs Enforcement if an illegal immigrant attempts to buy a gun have shown they’re “susceptible to Republican manipulation,” Rep. Alexandria Cortez (D-N.Y.) charged in an interview Tuesday night.
Speaking with NY1’s Errol Louis, Ocasio-Cortez defended telling these lawmakers they’re now “on a list” that enables them to be “held accountable by progressive activists.”
AOC explained: “When I’m saying, ‘you’re making a list,’ what I’m saying is, by separating yourselves out from the caucus, you have made a list in the vote count of the caucus Democrats that are susceptible to Republican manipulation, and frankly, who will be held accountable by progressive activists, and advocates, who say, ‘Stop negotiating away the rights of immigrants for completely unrelated legislation.”
She accused Democrats of “buckling and giving in” on the Republican amendment.
Republicans attached the amendment to a Democratic bill expanding background checks on gun transactions, including between husbands and wives.
The New York lawmaker says she wavered but ultimately voted in favor the bill that includes the Republican amendment.
“I ultimately voted yes because we need gun safety legislation.”