AOC calls out Republican who called her ‘f–king b-tch’ on House floor
Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez remarks, 'I have tossed men out of bars that have used language like Mr. Yoho’s’
After being referred to with vulgar terms by Republican Rep. Ted Yoho, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez officially responds to his insults on the House floor.
READ MORE: AOC refuses Florida GOP lawmaker’s apology for calling her a ‘f—ing b–tch’ at Capitol
“Representative Yoho’s comments were not deeply hurtful or piercing to me because I have worked a working-class job,” AOC remarks.
She continues, “I have waited tables in restaurants, I have ridden the subway, I have walked the streets in New York City, and this kind of language is not new.”
The progressive political leader was allegedly referred to by Rep. Yoho as a “f-king b-tch” after he approached her on the U.S. Capitol steps Monday evening. While he denies using the violent language, he issued an apology which AOC declined.
“The offensive name-calling words attributed to me by the press were never spoken to my colleagues, and if they were construed that way, I apologize for the misunderstanding,” Yoho said on Wednesday.
His apology did not name AOC and she shared his remarks on Twitter saying, “I will not teach my nieces and young people watching that this an apology, and what they should learn to accept.”
Read More: AOC clashes with challenger during debate: ‘Leave my mom out of this’
Now, her official response goes further, explaining the harmful nature of his behavior and the system that allows it.
“Every congresswoman and every woman in this country, all of us have had to deal with this in some form, some way, some shape at some point in our lives,” remarks Ocasio-Cortez.
She adds, “This issue is not about one incident. It is cultural. It is a culture of lack of impunity, of accepting of violence and violent language against women and an entire structure of power that supports that.”
AOC runs down the repetitive ill-treatment from her republican political peers, recalling how President Donald Trump told her to go home. Gov. Ron DeSantis of Florida also spoke of her in dehumanizing language before she was even sworn into office.
“You look at this girl Ocasio-Cortez or whatever she is, I mean, she’s in a totally different universe,” DeSantis said in August 2018. “It’s basically socialism wrapped in ignorance.”
AOC says this is all a pattern of behavior.
“While I was not hurt or offended by little comments that are made, when I was reflecting on this, I honestly thought I was just going to pack it up and go home. It ‘s just another day right?,” she says.
“But, then yesterday, Representative Yoho decided to come to the floor of the House of Representatives and make excuses for his behavior,” she says.
She continues, “that I could not let go.”
She has received public support from many, including U.S. Senator Ed Markey.
He writes on Twitter, “The sexist and derogatory language used against @AOC is indefensible,” calling Yoho’s apology “unacceptable”.
He follows up with a message of empowerment to AOC and other women of color.
Watch the full response below:
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