AOC Apologizes to Constituents for Iron Dome Vote, Cites Rush to Vote for Her Decision

[Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin]

Source: Newsweek

Progressive congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez apologized to her constituents for switching her "no" vote on Israel's Iron Dome missile defense system to "present" on Thursday.

Addressing her vote, Ocasio-Cortez said House leadership made a "reckless decision" in rushing the vote by calling it "within a matter of hours and without true consideration."

"I want to be clear that the decision to rush the vote—virtually preventing any member from meaningfully consulting their community—was both intentional and necessary," she wrote in a Friday letter to her constituents in New York's 14th congressional district.

She also criticized the legislative language for its "attempt to quietly slip this funding into routine legislation, without any of the usually-necessary committee debate, markup, or regular order."

Read more: https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/aoc-apologizes-to-constituents-for-iron-dome-vote-cites-rush-to-vote-for-her-decision/ar-AAON0rd?li=BBnb7Kz

[marble falls]

1. I think it takes a strong and smart leader to realize they made a mistake, admit it and fix it.

[NurseJackie]

13. That's an exaggeration.

I think it takes a strong and smart leader to realize they made a mistake, admit it and fix it.

Really? That's an exaggeration. What exactly did she "fix" and how did she "fix" it? --- Or, do I just have unreasonably high expectations from people who are characterized as being strong and smart leaders.

The first part of your statement doesn't hold water either. This could have been easily avoided, and that's not smart. Blaming others or "circumstances" isn't smart... it's not owning one's mistake. All I'm trying to say is that in my estimation, a strong and smart leader would not be making excuses and offering justifications or go to such great lengths to offer weak criticisms of a political process that wasn't actually "rushed" and one that should (by now) be well-understood.

I wonder what the Jewish population is in her district? Will this hurt her going forward? Will her district be redrawn to include more Jewish Americans. I know that New York State has a large Jewish population... it seems unlikely to me that she would make a strong challenger to Chuck Schumer, but I certainly encourage her to try. It would be interesting to watch.

[Me.]

20. Quite

points for clarity

[George II]

22. It looks like the community of Riverdale in the Bronx will be redistricted into NY-14....

Riverdale is predominantly Democratic and Jewish. Of the 16 houses of worship, nine of them are Jewish. There's also a Jewish volunteer ambulance service.

Riverdale is currently part of Bowman's 16th District. Interestingly, Bowman was the only member of the "squad" that voted for the Iron Dome bill.

[lapucelle]

31. So Bowman can lay claim both to having voted for and against Iron Dome,

and the sophomore representative from NY-14 can lay claim both to having voted against it and to not having voted against it.

And both representatives proactively blamed Democratic leadership for their decisions, rather than take personal responsibility for what might be a purely career-related calculation.

Wow.

[betsuni]

14. What mistake? Did she admit to a mistake?

[NurseJackie]

19. Crickets. 🦗🦗🦗

We're being ignored, it seems. (Oh well.)

[empedocles]

3. Not really the fault of the House leadership.

[marble falls]

4. I speaking to AOC "present" vote, it's fallout, and AOC changing to a vote. I have no problems ...

... with house leadership.

[Me.]

5. THe House Leadership Was In No Way Reckless

Your vote is your responsibility.

[PatSeg]

16. A simple apology would have been better

One without all the explaining and excuses.

[Me.]

21. A Lot Of Mis-Steps Being Made Lately

and I keep wondering when she is going to open a real office in her district instead of a phone that's never answered in someone else's office.

[PatSeg]

35. Oh, I didn't realize she hadn't opened a real office yet

I think young legislators come to office filled with lots of energy and great ideas, but unfortunately often little relevant experience.

I was once like you are now
And I know that it's not easy
To be calm when you've found
Something going on
But take your time, think a lot
Think of everything you've got
For you will still be here tomorrow
But your dreams may not

I appreciate the optimism and I often agree with the intent, but I know it takes more to bring about lasting change. Governing is very serious business and involves a lot of give and take, as well as grace and humility. Republicans may resort to publicity stunts, but Democrats need to take their jobs very seriously and accept they will not always get what they want. So if I'm critical sometimes of the younger representatives, it is because I truly WAS once like they are now.

[Me.]

37. Haven't Checked In A While

her site says she has one in Jackson heights and a satellite office but the pic is the same foe both and ...

"Any NY-14 constituent needing assistance from our office or wishing to share their opinion on a piece of legislation is welcome to email our District Office. If you live outside of our district, please use the phone number for out-of-district calls: [phone]"

[PatSeg]

46. It does look like she has a district office

I see what you mean about the pictures for both the Jackson Heights and the Bronx is the same. Probably just a stock photo I suppose.

[Me.]

47. I Feel Unsure About THem

can you walk in? And that phone number is an issue. When you're in trouble you need to talk to someone and there has been big problems in her districts with the flooding and all. That said, I also think Schumer is difficult to reach by phone and he has several big offices and lots of help. These people get 3 million a year for expenses like staff.

[PatSeg]

48. All of this sort of stuff should have been done

early in their term. Save the showboating and publicity for when they are settled. I didn't realize that got 3 million a year for expenses.

[Me.]

49. I JUst Looked It Up To Make Sure I Remembered Correctly

10. A $1.2 million to $3.3 million allowance

Members of the House receive a $900,000 annual allowance for a staff as well as a $250,000 budget for travel and office expenses, paid for entirely by taxpayers. Each senator, on the other hand, gets a budget close to $3.3 million based on figures from the Congressional Research Service. Again, certain companies do offer lavish pay packages and perks to employees so it may be a bit hypocritical to pick on Congress for this one point. However, I’m not aware of any business out there where all employees equally get at least $1.2 million in expenses at their disposal.

https://www.fool.com/investing/general/2013/10/20/10-perks-congress-has-that-you-dont.aspx

She doesn't get the 3 mil but 900K is a lot of staff money

[PatSeg]

50. Of course, considering annual salaries

of qualified people, that probably would add up very quickly. If she only paid them $40,000 a year, that is just 23 employees, for both DC and in her district. Then for a district office, there would be rent, utilities, computers/phones, and furniture.

[Me.]

51. Expenses For Staff Are Separate From Office Expenses

Last edited Sat Sep 25, 2021, 10:14 PM - Edit history (1)

I seriously doubt she has 23

[JustAnotherGen]

6. Naaah

They vote - or vote present - on their own.

[George II]

7. Steny Hoyer gave more than 24 hours notice, and the bill was almost identical to the provision....

....that was voted out of the overriding bill the day before.

This is how Congress has worked for decades.

PS - she'd already voted Nay and changed it at the last minute.

[Me.]

27. And Let's Be Honest

It's their staffs who do the reading and deliver the cliff notes version to the legislators so all this nonsense about not having time to read it is just so much hogwash

[George II]

28. Her apology in the OP is twice as long as the bill itself, too.

[Hortensis]

41. Absolutely hogwash. She has legislative experts among her personal

congressional staff of dozens, plus the legislative experts serving those on the committees she's assigned to.

[Me.]

42. Once Again You Are 100% Correct

[Hortensis]

44. :)

[NurseJackie]

58. That's an excellent point. She makes it sound as if she labored with figuring it out all by herself...

... and that's simply not the case, is it? So... in addition to being a rather short, direct and straightforward bill... she has OTHERS on staff who can "translate" it for her, in the event that the legalese gets to be a little too deep for the average sophomore lawmaker to schlep through... AND she could have easily obtained that assistance.

Now I'm wondering: did she get anyone to help her? And if so, why is she complaining that she didn't have time to read/review/understand everything. OR... if not, why not?

[Hortensis]

59. They all also have experts to help with strategy and PR, such as whether to

support, oppose, negotiate, use for publicity, for or against whom, etc, etc. Of course, this defense system was not exactly a new item.

[NH Ethylene]

8. It looks like she is trying to have it both ways.

Snippets from the article:

Ocasio-Cortez was seen crying on the House floor after breaking with other members of the Squad and changing her vote on funding the Iron Dome. She has previously been criticized by pro-Israel groups for her opposition to funding the Iron Dome.

"I want to be clear with our community that I am opposed to this bill, but ultimately cast a PRESENT vote," the congresswoman added.

Some have suggested that Ocasio-Cortez's last-minute decision was a strategic move to position herself run for Senate in New York, mounting a primary challenge to Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer in 2022.

[Demsrule86]

10. New York is not super progressive statewide...and I expect this vote will haunt her. I think

she will remain a house member, and there is nothing wrong with that.

[NurseJackie]

15. I hope she runs against Schumer and tries to take his senate seat from him.

I do not believe she'll win, but it will be a good experience for her.

[PatSeg]

17. A very good experience indeed

Seeing political realities outside the bubble of her own district. The world is not as simple or black and white as some new politicians believe. I think that awareness tends to come with experience.

[George II]

24. This vote all but scotched any hope for state-wide office in New York. There are roughly...

....3 million Jews in NYS, mostly in the NYC Metropolitan area. That's about one-third the population of Israel and half the Jewish population of Israel.

There are more Jews living in NYC than both Jerusalem and Tel Aviv combined.

[Hortensis]

45. Good as in separating her permanently from her radical beginnings?

Or? Just forcing her to become broadened and more informed? I've wondered if she'd like to break away but can't risk Justice Dems and their like ripping her apart.

Easy to imagine it'd be a bad experience for much of her national following. To win a statewide race she'd have to appeal to both liberal and conservative moderates, private and business, appalling the silly billies to whom that means only corrupt corporate lackeys.

[George II]

29. Voting against aid to Israel is a great way to open a Senatorial bid in New York State. Not!

[NurseJackie]

30. I'm still in favor of her giving it a go.

Only, it remains uncertain to me if she's still committed to a career in politics. It seems as though, rather recently, she was openly expressing her frustrations with the job not being all it was cracked-up to be... and hinting that she's not very enthusiastic about running again.

I can't recall the exact quote, but I do remember being struck by the fact that she seemed to be "giving up" rather quickly. But... then again, politics isn't for everyone. It's certainly not a job that I'd be willing to do.

All I'm trying to say is that if someone's heart isn't in it... and if someone would rather be doing other things and feel that they can make a bigger difference elsewhere (like grand fundraisers, and ribbon-cutting ceremonies, and tweeting, and writing books, and talk-shows, etc.) then who am I to second-guess what they feel is right for them.

[Hortensis]

43. That last would certainly explain "the present," at least less damaging

with the Jewish communities than a no.

[NurseJackie]

55. If we can see-through that type of cynical "tactic"...

... I think that the likely future constituents (in a redrawn district) will be able to see through it as well. In the long run, people who do such things do themselves no favors. It was unnecessary overkill to also attack and insult party leadership and cast one's self as being singled-out, snubbed or victimized by leadership. Things like that serve no good purpose and any observer who's even halfway paying attention will see it for what it is.

[Hortensis]

56. Oh yes, and hope so. But until... Idealistic warrior against

the corrupt Democratic establishment is her national brand, of course. Her young/socialist national donor base expect to see her causing trouble, so here she is coming through with at least the appearance of it.

Party leaders want her connection to the young people who listen to her, though, and the cost of maintaining that is presumably handlable. Lol, thinking of the over 200 chickens in their herd. What a job!

[JohnSJ]

9. BS

[NurseJackie]

38. The smears and insults against Democratic leadership were not necessary...

BS

I know! Right? The smears and insults against Democratic leadership were not necessary, and when lawmakers take that approach with members of their own party or caucus, it only serves to diminish themselves. As part of a rambling four-paragraph screed, our house leadership was accused (in a passive-aggressive backhanded way) of subterfuge, being unjust, sneaky, showing disrespect, being reckless, racist, dismissive, insensitive, careless, lacking compassion, irresponsible, damaging, thoughtless, violating or ignoring proper procedure... it goes on and on.

It's there for anyone to read. It's disorganized and long-winded... but if one schleps through it all, the insults and smears aren't that difficult to spot.

[JohnSJ]

39. Yes, the BS was directed at her rambling stream of the subconscious nonsense

[NurseJackie]

40. Excellent description. Subconscious nonsense covers it well.

[betsuni]

11. But ... that's politics. That's the job. Some things are "rushed."

[George II]

32. This wasn't even rushed, though. Those who voted no or present had plenty of time to review...

...the bill. It was virtually the same thing that they voted on earlier in the week (when it was removed from the overlying funding bill), and even if it was "new", it was issued about 36 hours prior to the vote on the standalone bill. On top of that, it is ONE PAGE and only 406 words!

Here's the bill in it's entirety:

H.R.5323 - Iron Dome Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2022

[Congressional Bills 117th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 5323 Introduced in House (IH)]

117th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 5323

Making supplemental appropriations for the fiscal year ending September
30, 2022, and for other purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

September 22, 2021

Ms. DeLauro introduced the following bill; which was referred to the
Committee on Appropriations, and in addition to the Committee on the
Budget, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in
each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the
jurisdiction of the committee concerned

_______________________________________________________________________

A BILL

Making supplemental appropriations for the fiscal year ending September
30, 2022, and for other purposes.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
That the following sums are appropriated, out of any money in the
Treasury not otherwise appropriated, for the fiscal year ending
September 30, 2022, and for other purposes, namely:

DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

PROCUREMENT

Procurement, Defense-Wide

For an additional amount for ``Procurement, Defense-Wide'',
$1,000,000,000, to remain available until September 30, 2024, for the
Secretary of Defense to provide to the Government of Israel for the
procurement of the Iron Dome defense system to counter short-range
rocket threats: Provided, That such funds shall be provided to address
emergent requirements in support of Operation Guardian of the Walls:
Provided further, That such funds shall be transferred pursuant to an
exchange of letters and are in addition to funds provided pursuant to
the U.S.-Israel Iron Dome Procurement Agreement, as amended: Provided
further, That nothing in the preceding provisos shall be construed to
apply to amounts made available in prior appropriations Acts for the
procurement of the Iron Dome defense system: Provided further, That
such amount is designated by the Congress as being for an emergency
requirement pursuant to section 4001(a)(1) and section 4001(b) of S.
Con. Res. 14 (117th Congress), the concurrent resolution on the budget
for fiscal year 2022.

GENERAL PROVISIONS--THIS ACT

Sec. 101. Each amount appropriated or made available by this Act
is in addition to amounts otherwise appropriated for the fiscal year
involved.
Sec. 102. Unless otherwise provided for by this Act, the
additional amounts appropriated by this Act to appropriations accounts
shall be available under the authorities and conditions applicable to
such appropriations accounts for fiscal year 2022.
This Act may be cited as the ``Iron Dome Supplemental
Appropriations Act, 2022''.

[NurseJackie]

54. More time was spent on crafting the "apology" than reading the actual bill.

Anyone who claims that the process was rushed is being disingenuous. That's difficult to swallow. Weak sauce. The rest of the smears and attacks and insults on party leadership (Hoyer and Pelosi) were unnecessary and undercut the sincerity of all the other justifications. I've read analysis in several places that speculated this type of vote is a cynical political calculation intended to further one's career. I'm inclined to agree with that. My estimation is that it's something that will end up tarnishing one's career... especially considering the great effort put forth in blaming others, or blaming the party, or blaming the process. That was unnecessary.

[George II]

57. Plus it is twice as long as the bill itself.

[NurseJackie]

12. Lord.

[tavernier]

36. I second that emotion

[lapucelle]

18. Ambitious politicians are known to straddle the line in order to serve their own career advancement.

Sincere "apologies" generally involve taking responsibility and avoid shifting the blame.

As for consultation with constituents, most members find the time during recesses and routine visits to their home district offices.

***************************************************************************************

Even Jamaal Bowman didn't resort to the "I felt rushed" justification this time around, as he has in the past on other measures.

Bowman told CNN that he voted against the bill because he didn't feel like he had enough time to review what was in it.

"We just got the bill text like a half an hour ago. Absolutely no time to read it, no time to understand it, no time to digest it, so that's reason number one," Bowman said. [H.R.3237: Emergency Security Supplemental Appropriations Act

https://www.cnn.com/2021/07/29/politics/capitol-security-bill-senate/index.html

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Democratic Representative Jamaal Bowman, one of the Democrats who had concerns about the provision, said earlier that House members had not been given enough time to consider the matter.

"The problem is leadership (will) just throw something on our table, give us about five minutes to decide what we're going to do and then tries to move forward with it," Bowman told reporters [H.R.4350: National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2022].

https://www.reuters.com/world/us/military-aid-israel-removed-us-bill-fund-government-2021-09-21/

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Rather than take responsibility, the sophomore representative from NY-14 shifts the blame to Democratic leadership, casting suspicion on their strategy and motives, as if Nancy Pelosi and Steny Hoyer are somehow responsible for what some are saying is a politically calculated decision to sit this one out.

Addressing her vote [H.R.5323: Iron Dome Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2022] Ocasio-Cortez said House leadership made a "reckless decision" in rushing the vote by calling it "within a matter of hours and without true consideration."

"I want to be clear that the decision to rush the vote—virtually preventing any member from meaningfully consulting their community—was both intentional and necessary," she wrote in a Friday letter to her constituents in New York's 14th congressional district.

snip================================================================

Some have suggested that Ocasio-Cortez's last-minute decision was a strategic move to position herself run for Senate in New York, mounting a primary challenge to Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer in 2022.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/aoc-apologizes-to-constituents-for-iron-dome-vote-cites-rush-to-vote-for-her-decision/ar-AAON0rd?li=BBnb7Kz

[George II]

23. It looks like in the days between the initial removal of Iron Dome from the overriding bill...

...and the Thursday vote, Bowman did take the time to read the very short (1 page, 406 words) bill, it is about a 10-minute read. He wound up voting for the final bill, the only member of the "squad" to do so.

[lapucelle]

25. Some would say it's underhanded to blame leadership for a politically calculated personal decision.

And why the demonstration of "heartbreak" near the podium in full view of the cameras if the sophomore representative from NY-14 was intending to sit this one out?

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Link to tweet

[NurseJackie]

26. That's an excellent question. You're not the only one I've heard asking it.

Others have expressed similar queries that wonder the same thing. I have my own theories about that, but my friends who know me already know my feelings on this matter, so for obvious reasons, it's best that I not be too candid in expressing my observations.

Have a great weekend, Lapucelle!

[NurseJackie]

33. Just for fun: Here's a word-count comparison between the actual bill and her explanation...

Bowman did take the time to read the very short (1 page, 406 words) bill

Just for fun: Here's a word-count comparison between the actual bill and her explanation/justification/apology (or whatever anyone wants to call it.)

The Actual Bill:

1 Page
406 Words
3111 Characters

Her Whatever it Was:

1 Page
924 Words
5544 Characters

And much of the bill was legalese House boilerplate, no substance. The point being... it wasn't that difficult to read or understand.

Before anyone asks... No! I did not count the words and characters by hand. Who has the patience? --- Actually, it's easy to just cut-and-paste into MS Word and it will analyze and compare it automatically.

He wound up voting for the final bill, the only member of the "squad" to do so.

He has more Jewish voters in his district, right? Perhaps that had something to do with it.

[George II]

34. Yes he does. Right now the Riverdale section of the Bronx is in his District - it has a large....

....Jewish population. In fact Jewish houses of worship in Riverdale outnumber all others by more than 2-1 (9 vs. 4).

If this was a political calculation on the part of either (Bowman Yea for Jewish votes, she Present for non-Jewish votes), it just might backfire.

Recently released drafts of the NYS redistricting map indicate that Riverdale may be shifted from Bowman's NY-16 to her NY-14.

[NurseJackie]

53. Cynical politics as usual, then, I see.

this was a political calculation

Cynical politics as usual, then, I see.

it just might backfire.

I believe you are correct.

[LudwigPastorius]

52. Sounds a bit like, "The dog ate my homework".