Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez pushed back Tuesday night on claims that she was responsible for Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer\u2019s decision not to support a Republican stopgap funding bill, which ultimately led to a federal government shutdown. Speaking during an interview on MSNBC, Ocasio-Cortez addressed speculation that Schumer\u2019s actions were motivated by fear of a potential primary challenge from her in 2028.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is so not about me,\u201d she said, redirecting the conversation to the issue of healthcare. She emphasized the importance of extending Obamacare subsidies, which Democrats have prioritized. \u201cWhat I\u2019m not going to do is tolerate 4 million uninsured Americans because Donald Trump decided kids shouldn\u2019t have access to insurance,\u201d she added. She invited anyone blaming her to \u201ccome strike a deal\u201d directly with her.<\/p>\n
The interview followed rumors on Capitol Hill suggesting Schumer was attempting to appease the Democratic Party\u2019s progressive base, fearing political fallout from the left if he compromised with Republicans. Host Chris Hayes posed the theory to Ocasio-Cortez, which she firmly rejected as a distraction from the core policy issues at stake.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, three Senate Democrats\u2014Catherine Cortez Masto (Nev.), John Fetterman (Pa.), and independent Angus King (Maine)\u2014broke ranks with their party to vote in favor of the GOP-drafted stopgap measure. The bill, however, failed 55\u201345, falling short of the 60 votes needed to advance.<\/p>\n
Cortez Masto explained her vote by citing the economic strain her constituents are facing. She said a shutdown would worsen conditions for Nevada families. Republicans are expected to bring the bill up again on Wednesday, hoping more Democrats will join them in reopening the government\u2014posing a potential challenge to Schumer\u2019s leadership.<\/p>\n
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