Incoming Rep. Nicole Malliotakis (R-N.Y.) and other Republican members of the freshman class are coming together to act as an opposing force to the Democratic “squad.”
During her appearance on CNN’s “State of the Union,” host Dana Bash noted Republican women “more than doubled” their numbers in the House this election cycle bringing it to at least 28.
“One of the reasons why you saw so many women take office on the Republican side was because of the efforts of leader Kevin McCarthy, because of people like Elise Stefanik, Liz Cheney, Steve Scalise who went out there and recruited qualified women who have something to share with the American people,” Malliotakis said.
She added, “I think one of the reasons why we were so motivated to run is seeing the Democratic women being elected in 2018 that don’t necessarily reflect our values, particularly those who are self-described socialists.”
Watch her remarks below:
“It’s not just Democrat women who have a monopoly on breaking glass ceilings. Republican women have been doing it all year long,” GOP Congresswoman-elect Nancy Mace says. “Democrats have just done a better job at recruiting women to run,” Mace adds. #CNNSOTU pic.twitter.com/F9n5xoHuNq
— State of the Union (@CNNSOTU) November 29, 2020
Malliotakis explained someone like herself, a daughter of an immigrant, wants to be a part of the opposing view and participate in the debate.
Bash acknowledged Malliotakis is going to be the only Republican from New York City and how she spent time during her campaign focusing on Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) who is a member of “the squad.”
She asked Malliotakis what she means when she says she wants to form a “freedom squad.”
“We have a natural alliance that is occurring among the members of this new freshman class,” Malliotakis said.
She continued, “I think what you’re going to see is a group of individuals who are going to serve as a counterbalance to the values of the socialist squad.”
Malliotakis told Bash Republicans don’t “believe we should be dismantling the economy. We don’t believe we should be destroying free-market principles. We don’t believe in Green New Deal. We don’t believe in packing the courts.”