Video: Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez Says U.S. Has 'Allowed Weapons Budget to Explode' but Can't 'Write Laws Properly'
Representative-elect Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York argued that while the United States had witnessed an explosion in military spending, Congress, paradoxically, Congress doesn't have enough money to "write laws properly."
In a characteristically informal yet politically charged Instagram Live video, the Ocasio-Cortez argued that "economic austerity" had not seemed to affect the country's weapons budget.
"We did this whole austerity thing," she said while chatting in a kitchen. "So they cut the operating budgets across a lot of government. But, of course, we allowed our weapons budget to explode.
"But we can't pay enough people to write laws properly. Right? We don't have the budget for that. But we do have the budget for tons of weaponry. I'm getting distracted here. I'm making coconut curry shrimp," she told viewers.
@Ocasio2018 live-streaming talking policy, explaining how the government bureaucracy functions daily while winging diy coconut curry shrimp has strong relatability because it’s no longer a politician who’s swiftly out of sight and mind after winning the ticket. Love it. pic.twitter.com/XaHLH80pNl
— S² (@sohailstyle) December 28, 2018
According to U.S. News writer David Catanese, as many as 3,300 Instagram users were watching Ocasio-Cortez's live stream while he was tuned in.
"Right now on her Instagram feed @Ocasio2018 is cooking coconut shrimp and telling about 3,300 watchers how congressional operating budgets aren't sufficient for any member of Congress to write laws properly," he wrote.
The 29-year-old self-described democratic socialist made history earlier this year by unseating House Democratic Representative Joe Crowley in the primary for New York's 14th Congressional District. She is set to become the youngest woman to serve in Congress. Crowley had served for 10 terms.
Since rising to prominence, Ocasio-Cortez has become known for using social media—including Instagram Live—to connect with her constituents.
In an Instagram story post after she wrapped up her live stream, she thanked viewers for joining her and joked that the post was brought to them by pop star Ariana Grande's popular latest single, "Thank U, Next."
On Twitter, fans of the politician praised her for being "relatable."
"I just spent the last 20 minutes on @Ocasio2018's IG Live watching her make coconut curry shrimp while talking about her work schedule/commute between NY & DC, Congressional salaries and the govt shutdown. We stan this kind of transparency," wrote one Twitter user, using the term for a super-fan.
"Just spent an hour listening to @Ocasio2018 talk about politics and our government while making coconut curry shrimp in a pressure cooker and honestly, I can't think of a better way to spend my time. We love an intelligent relatable politician!!!" said another.
On December 25, Ocasio-Cortez posted a Christmas message to her 1.6 million Twitter followers pointing out that Jesus was a refugee too.
"Merry Christmas everyone - here's to a holiday filled with happiness, family, and love for all people. (Including refugee babies in mangers + their parents.)" she wrote.
