Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) called out former Vice President Joe Biden for his stance on the Hyde Amendment Thursday, saying if “your pride is being a moderate centrist candidate” then “go out” and “own it.”
Ocasio-Cortez was asked about Biden’s previous claim to have the most progressive record of any candidate in the 2020 presidential field during an interview with The Young Turks. The congresswoman, who has made no attempt to hide her distaste for moderates in the past, observed the “term progressive” was being “hijacked” to extend to all Democrats.
“Record is important because it shows a consistency and values and beliefs,” Ocasio-Cortez said, “but the term progressive is getting hijacked so much that people just think it means Democrat now, and not all Democrats are progressive.”
Ocasio-Cortez cited Biden’s prior support for the Hyde Amendment along with other long held positions as proof the Democratic frontrunner wasn’t “progressive.”
“I’m sorry, but if you’re going to come out and say you support the Hyde Amendment, which prevents us from funding clinics like Planned Parenthood, that’s not progressive,” the congresswoman said. “That’s not a progressive position and you know what, if your pride is being a moderate centrist candidate, then go out and say that.”
“Say I’m a proud centrist, I’m proud to be fueled by Wall Street, I’m proud to not push as hard as I can on women’s rights,” Ocasio-Cortez added. “Say it, own it, be it.”
The congresswoman’s criticism came shortly before Biden publicly reversed his position on the Hyde Amendment, despite having reaffirmed his commitment only days prior.
It is also not the first time this week the progressive firebrand has rebuked the former vice president. Ocasio-Cortez, who co-authored the Green New deal, panned Biden’s proposal to tackle climate change on Wednesday as below the “gold standard” set by fellow White House contender, Gov. Jay Inslee (D-WA).
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