AOC Calls for President Biden, Congress to Check the Supreme Court
Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez recently visited The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, and she had a few thoughts on what to do next after American society collectively faces the overturning of Roe v. Wade. The republican party came out swinging after overturning Roe v. Wade; Justice Clarence Thomas has even threatened other federally-protected rights, like marriage equality and many others, to be targeted next.
AOC describes the Supreme Court’s recent actions as “overreaching their power” causing them to “actively delegitimize themselves.” During the interview, AOC shares her own thoughts on what she would like the president and Congress to do about this dangerous predicament we’re in:
“It is the responsibility of the president and Congress to put the Supreme Court in check,” she says.
When asked what she would want to see from her fellow lawmakers, AOC points out a rather intriguing plan of action she’d like to see where the president, Congress, and democrats could come together to drive change at a time where we need it the most. Ocasio-Cortez strongly encourages Biden to explore and entertain the idea of expanding the Supreme Court, although the choice is ultimately up to Congress.
Actions @AOC recommends Congress and Pres. Biden take:
– entertain expansion of SCOTUS
– end the Senate filibuster
– repeal the Hyde Amendment
– codify Roe, same-sex marriage, right to contraception, and interracial marriage pic.twitter.com/Q37pYNcYhA— The Late Show (@colbertlateshow) June 29, 2022
She also wants to see Biden forcefully come in to end the current filibuster in the Senate. Republicans are using filibusters to block many crucial laws on Biden’s agenda and the democratic agenda overall, voting rights bills being one of them.
AOC says, “I believe that he should forcefully come out in ending the filibuster of the U.S. Senate.”
She believes that ending the filibuster will allow democrats to codify Roe v. Wade, same-gender marriage, the right to contraception, and interracial marriage. AOC mentions that one way to do this is by repealing the Hyde amendment, which doesn’t allow the use of federal funds on abortions with the exceptions of rape, incest, and to save the pregnant person’s life. This amendment heavily impacts those covered by Medicaid.
“We need to show and demonstrate to the American people that when they vote to give democrats power, we will use it to the fullest extent possible,” Ocasio-Cortez says in closing.
What people need now is action, especially from the democratic party. This hypothetical plan would be a good start. Let’s see what the democratic party does in the months to come. Hopefully, our leaders step up to the plate.
Screenshot courtesy of The Late Show with Stephen Colbert on YouTube
