Ocasio-Cortez to voters: Tell McConnell ‘he is playing with fire’ with Ginsburg’s seat

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) and Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.) on Sunday called for voters to fight against the confirmation of President Trump’s Supreme Court nominee, speaking at a joint media event called to discuss the death of Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg.

“Call your senator and tell them not to listen to Mitch McConnell, not to be afraid of Mitch McConnell, to stand up and do the right thing,” Schumer said, referencing Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell’s (R-Ky.) plan to hold a vote to confirm Trump’s nominee to replace Ginsburg. 

Ginsburg died Friday due to complications of metastatic pancreas cancer. Her death triggered debate in Washington over what will happen to her Supreme Court seat heading into the elections. Most Republicans support confirming whoever Trump announces as his nominee, but Democrats say it is hypocritical after Republicans blocked the confirmation of former President Obama’s nominee Merrick Garland in 2016 because it was close to an election.  

During Sunday’s press conference, Schumer and Ocasio-Cortez called on voters to turn out in force this November to support Biden and warned of the court decisions that could be handed down, such as overturning the Affordable Care Act, if the Supreme Court gains another conservative justice.

Sen. Schumer: “We’re here to protect the rights of our globe — and the people who live on it so that climate is protected.” pic.twitter.com/I5K6BbwYBc

— The Hill (@thehill) September 21, 2020

Ocasio-Cortez warned “our entire livelihood” could be shaped by the election.

Rep. @AOC: “We need to tell [Mitch McConnell] that he is playing with fire.” pic.twitter.com/CSgI2dBBmy

— The Hill (@thehill) September 20, 2020

“This is one of the most important times that we have had for everyday people to stand up,” Ocasio-Cortez said. “We all need to be more courageous and we all must act in unprecedented ways to make sure that our rights are stabilized. And to Mitch McConnell, we need to tell him that he is playing with fire. We need to make sure that this vacancy is protected, that our election continues and that the American people have their say.”