Rep. Ocasio-Cortez redirects focus to funding negotiations after MSNBC host asks about primary threat to Senate Minority Leader.
Democratic Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York declined to confirm or deny a potential primary challenge against Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) during a Tuesday interview on MSNBC.
Host Chris Hayes asked Ocasio-Cortez about the rumored 2028 primary challenge after the Senate failed to pass a short-term continuing resolution, falling short of the 60 votes needed to overcome a Democratic filibuster. Hayes presented a theory that Schumer’s tactics were influenced by fear of a primary from his political left.
“There are some people I have seen who have the following theory… that Chuck Schumer is worried about a primary challenge from you… and so because of that worry… he’s going to shut down the government. Ergo, it is AOC’s fault that the government is shutting down,” Hayes said, directly asking Ocasio-Cortez if she was planning a challenge and if she thought that was the reason behind Schumer’s actions.
Ocasio-Cortez quickly pivoted away from the personal speculation, focusing instead on the legislative urgency of funding. “This is so not about me in this moment,” she stated. “This is about people being able to ensure their children…”
She then directly addressed those speculating that she was the cause of the stalemate.
“If those senators think that we’re having a shutdown because of me, they’re free to enter my office and negotiate, because what we’re not going to do is allow all of millions of people in this country to not be able to afford their insulin and their chemotherapy.”
Ocasio-Cortez reiterated her willingness to engage with those blaming her, adding, “So come strike a deal with me, if that’s what they really think is going on.”
The congresswoman’s deflection comes as Congress faces pressure to pass a spending bill to avert a government shutdown, with the Senate failing to pass a continuing resolution that the House had previously approved. Schumer has previously faced criticism from his party’s left flank, including media figures and some Democrats in Congress, over past spending decisions.
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