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Alexandra Ocasio-Cortez says ‘people like me’ aren’t welcome in current Democrat party as she withholds $250k in protest
ALEXANDRIA Ocasio-Cortez is withholding a quarter million dollars in dues because she says 'people like me' aren't welcome in the current Democrat party.
The New York freshman representative declined to contribute to the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, the coffers used to sustain the House majority.
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This has reportedly , with some members suggesting the 30-year-old progressive powerhouse pay up or go independent.
But AOC is fighting back, arguing leadership also "blacklists" vendors for working with primary challengers like her.
Speaking outside Capitol Hill on Friday, she said: “This is a place that should be for everyone.
"It should be for working people. It should be for everyday people who aren’t connected to big money.”
She told "I don't think my fundraising should go to preventing more people like me from being here in congress.
“I don't see the sense in giving a quarter-million dollars to an organization that has clearly told people like me that we're not welcome.
“It’s pretty nuts -- $250,000 for a freshman member. Can you imagine being 30 years old and getting a bill for $250,000?
"I still have $20,000 in student loan debt," AOC said of the assigned "dues" all House Democrats pay to the DCCC.
It’s pretty nuts -- $250,000 for a freshman member. Can you imagine being 30 years old and getting a bill for $250,000?
Ocasio-Cortez
Fox News reports amounts range from $1 million for Speaker Nancy Pelosi to $150,000 for newer or less-prolific fundraisers.
There is a similar system in place for Republican counterparts.
But Ocasio-Cortez feels paying the DCCC this amount of money is a away to "push me out, or push candidates like me out."
The former bartender has already raised $300,000 for progressive Democrats, reports the
But AOC is soliciting donations to finance progressive candidates via online fundraising campaigns.
The New Yorker said she hoped to lesson the say of big corporations and lobbyists to give cashstrapped rising stars a fighting chance.
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Speaking about her stance, Congressman Gregory Meeks told: “Sometimes the question comes: 'Do you want to be in a majority or do you want to be in the minority?'”
The news comes after AOC launched a new PAC Courage To Change to raise money for new politicial contenders which is sure to ruffle some feathers.
The initiative aims to "," who have experienced "racial, economic, environmental, or social injustice."
The announcement read: “When progressive, working-class candidates look at running for office, organizations like the DCCC dissuade them.
"We need voices that will lift up those candidates, not shoot them down. That's why we're founding the Courage to Change PAC."
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But the radical polician has riled some party members by financing challengers to sitting House Democrats, Dan Lipinski of Illinois and Henry Cuellar of Texas.
But it doesn't look like AOC will be ditching the Democratic party to branch out on her own anytime soon, saying it still "it does serve me."
The Sun contacted Ocasio-Cortez's office for comment on Sunday.
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