Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) issued a warning to Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) and Senate Republican lawmakers as they move forward with expediting their plans to fill the Supreme Court vacancy following the death of the late Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg.
On Sunday evening, Ocasio-Cortez appeared with Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) as she expressed concern about McConnell’s latest push to quickly fill Ginsburg’s seat in time for the upcoming general election.
With just weeks until the presidential election and early voting already underway in multiple states, Ocasio-Cortez is stressing the importance of using their voice.
“This is one of the most important times that we have had for everyday people to stand up,” Ocasio-Cortez said, adding, “We all need to be more courageous and we all must act in unprecedented ways to make sure that our rights are stabilized.”
She continued with a warning to McConnell as she insisted that he is “playing with fire” with the stance he has taken.
“And to Mitch McConnell, we need to tell him that he is playing with fire. We need to make sure that this vacancy is protected, that our election continues and that the American people have their say,” she said.
See Ocasio-Cortez’s remarks below:
Rep. @AOC: "We need to tell [Mitch McConnell] that he is playing with fire." pic.twitter.com/CSgI2dBBmy
— The Hill (@thehill) September 20, 2020
Schumer also both expressed concern about McConnell’s attempt to replace Ginsburg before the election.
Schumer highlighted all of the laws and government policies that could be reversed if McConnell can get the number of votes needed to confirm President Donald Trump’s Supreme Court nominee.
The top-ranking Democrat called on American voters to stand up and fight back so their voices can be heard.
“If you care about all these rights, if you don’t want big, powerful, wealthy special interests to turn the clock back 100 years, please, our fervent plea, our fervent wish is that you call your senator,” Schumer said.
See Schumer’s remarks below:
“My most fervent wish is that I will not be replaced until a new president is installed.” —RBG
— Chuck Schumer (@SenSchumer) September 21, 2020
I’m standing with @AOC at James Madison HS—RBG’s alma mater and mine
Dems are united in fighting to honor RBG’s last wish and all that’s at stake for health care and Americans' rights pic.twitter.com/C3dqm0So8J
Ocasio-Cortez and Schumer’s latest remarks come just days after Ginsburg’s death and the series of events that followed. Just hours after Ginsburg’s death made headlines, McConnell released a statement vowing to fill the newly-vacated Supreme Court seat as soon as possible — most likely before the presidential election.
