New York Democratic Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez called out Texas Republican Representative Randy Weber after he interrupted and criticized her for addressing cameras instead of looking at him during a hearing about potential Medicaid cuts to the national budget.
Ocasio-Cortez voiced strong opposition to proposed expansions of Medicaid work requirements, warning they could disproportionately harm women recovering from miscarriages. Ocasio-Cortez argued that such women should be categorically exempt, saying the policy would punish vulnerable individuals navigating medical and emotional trauma.
Weber, however, sidestepped her concerns. Instead of engaging with the substance of her argument, he redirected the conversation, accusing Ocasio-Cortez of failing to confront her Republican colleagues directly:
“We’d like for you to address the Republicans. Let’s have a dialogue this way and not to a camera."
After Weber yielded his time during the committee hearing, Ocasio-Cortez continued to press the issue, which prompted frustration from Republican Buddy Carter of Georgia, who interjected that Weber had already yielded and insisted the committee “move on.”
But Ocasio-Cortez pushed forward, warning that the proposed policy could result in women “bleeding out in parking lots” if they’re denied timely care.
Then, turning to the camera, she said:
“Speaking of where we are addressing and who we are addressing, there are 13.7 million Americans on the other side of that screen right there. Hello! I’m talking to you because I work for you."
"And they deserve to see what is happening here. Because there are plenty of districts, including Republican ones, where 25% of your constituents are on Medicaid, 40% of your constituents are on Medicaid. And, yes, I am talking to you.”
"I am talking to them and I will not yield because it was a terribly disrespectful comment and I will not yield to disrespectful men. Thank you very much."
You can watch what happened in the video below.
Many applauded her remarks and criticized Weber in response.
Ocasio-Cortez has frequently called out what she describes as inappropriate or dismissive behavior in both chambers of Congress
Several years ago, Ocasio-Cortez sparred with former West Virginia Senator Joe Manchin, accusing him of holding up passage of an infrastructure bill because he is beholden to energy companies. She also criticized him after failed to use her official title and referred to her as a "young lady" in an interview.
Similarly, after she was accosted by a right-wing Twitter troll who called her a "big booty Latina" on the steps of the U.S. Capitol, she called the incident "deeply disgusting" and lamented the experience of working "in an institution that openly allowed this, but talking about it only invites more."
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