U.S. Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) is among the considerable number of Democrats who are outraged by the enactment of President Donald Trump’s hallmark legislation, the “Big, Beautiful Bill.” In an emotional outburst, the congresswoman characterized the successful vote as “one of the saddest days in history.”
“I believe this is one of the saddest days in contemporary American history. This represents the largest withdrawal and termination of health care in American history,” the congresswoman informed reporters on Capitol Hill. She subsequently discussed work requirements for taxpayer-funded benefits and candidly mentioned the exclusion of illegal immigrants from such benefits, asserting that “17 million individuals,” who are not citizens, will lose access to coverage.
“I don’t think I’ve ever witnessed, nor do I believe we are prepared for how disastrous this is poised to be for many individuals. I find it devastating. They are framing this as if it’s merely a tax cut. Even the discussions surrounding taxes on tips, whether there is a tax on tips, only apply to individuals earning up to $25,000. If you earn less than that, you are already somewhat exempt from many of these issues in the first place,” the far-left legislator expressed passionately.
“Thus, they are offering people mere crumbs while taking away the entire loaf. It is genuinely a very sad day for our nation.”
A reporter subsequently inquired about her reaction to House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries’ eight-hour filibuster, which ultimately failed to halt the bill. House Republicans have mocked their Democratic colleague as “low energy” for the ineffective attempt to delay the legislation.
On the contrary, AOC characterized Jeffries’ resistance to the bill as “the right message.”
“The most constructive action we can take at this moment is to continue pressing forward. Uh, in order to preserve what we have and to build upon it, we must navigate a new course and establish a new path toward our future.
The House approved the bill with a vote of 218-214 on Thursday afternoon, meeting President Trump’s deadline of July 4. Representatives Thomas Massie (R-KY) and Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA) were the only Republicans to oppose the vote.
Trump informed reporters that he will sign the legislation at the White House at 5 p.m. tomorrow. “And at approximately five o’clock, we will have B2s, F-22s, and F-35s flying directly over the White House. The speaker, John Thune, and I, along with most Republican senators in Congress, both men and women, will be present, and it is set to be a remarkable day,” the president stated to reporters upon his arrival in Iowa for a victory rally.