Rep. Alexandria-Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) commented on House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy’s (R-Calif.) speech, saying it is “stunning” to her how long someone can talk.
She posted a video of her reaction with the caption, “If I have to suffer through Kevin McCarthy’s speech so can you,” adding a laughing emoji.
Recording her comments in the House cloakroom, Ocasio-Cortez said, “One of the worst, lowest quality speeches, I have ever had… look at this. The absolute atrocious lack of privilege to witness, Kevin McCarthy.”
She continued, “Kevin McCarthy, speaking against unions, speaking against universal child care, universal pre-k.”
Ocasio-Cortez pointed out “all of those different colored ties and haircuts,” adding, “I have never seen a more diverse Republican Party than the one behind Kevin McCarthy right now.”
The Democrat added, “He has managed to speak for over an hour with one of the lowest vocabularies I have ever seen, coming from a member of House Leadership of any party. It is stunning to me how long a person can talk, knowing and exhibiting and communicating so little.”
Watch the video below:
If I have to suffer through Kevin McCarthy’s speech so can you 🤣 pic.twitter.com/8c4g3iUb34
— Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@RepAOC) November 19, 2021
McCarthy spoke for a total of 8 hours and 32 minutes to delay a vote on the Build Back Better Act, as IJR reported.
“I know some of you are mad at me, think I spoke too long. But I’ve had enough. America has had enough,” McCarthy said.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) also commented on McCarthy’s speech.
“I didn’t even pay attention to the speech,” Pelosi said.
She added, “I don’t even listen to most of the speeches on the other side because they’re not fraught with meaning or fact. So I don’t have my computer get bothered with that.”
The House voted 220 to 213 to pass the bill Friday. At a press conference after the vote, Pelosi said, “We’ll be telling our children and grandchildren that we were here this day.”
She continued, “This is legislation that creates millions of good paying jobs, gives tax cuts to the middle class, lowers costs, especially health care costs and childcare costs for the middle class, and is paid for 100 percent.”