Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez has sharply criticized the narrow passage of Donald Trump’s budget bill, declaring it “not normal” and lambasting the Republican Party for what she perceives as blatant hypocrisy. With only two Republican dissenters, the bill’s approval has galvanized Democrats to intensify their opposition.
Ocasio-Cortez specifically pointed to the bill’s contradictory nature, which she argues prioritizes permanent tax breaks for billionaires while simultaneously allowing a tax break for low-income tipped workers to expire. This, coupled with cuts to Medicaid expansion and SNAP benefits, illustrates what she calls a profound disconnect from the needs of average Americans.
The expansion of immigration enforcement, particularly the “explosion” of funding for ICE, is another major concern for Ocasio-Cortez. She warns of the unprecedented power granted to the agency, raising fears of widespread negative consequences for immigrant communities.
Democrats are coalescing around these criticisms, aiming to expose what they see as the Republican Party’s true priorities ahead of the next midterm elections. They are determined to make the bill’s passage a defining moment, highlighting the perceived abandonment of working-class families and the vulnerable.