‘Structural Racism’: AOC Slams Infrastructure Deal Because The Senators Who Negotiated It Aren’t Minorities

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) slammed the new bipartisan infrastructure bill because the Senators who negotiated it are not racial minorities.

“The diversity of this ‘bipartisan coalition’ pretty perfectly conveys which communities get centered and which get left behind when leaders prioritize bipartisan dealmaking over inclusive lawmaking (which prioritizes delivering the most impact possible for the most people),” tweeted the thirty-one-year-old lawmaker on Thursday afternoon.

The diversity of this “bipartisan coalition” pretty perfectly conveys which communities get centered and which get left behind when leaders prioritize bipartisan dealmaking over inclusive lawmaking (which prioritizes delivering the most impact possible for the most people) https://t.co/U6bqd9o51C

— Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@AOC) June 24, 2021

“This is why a bipartisan pkg alone isn’t acceptable,” she continued. “The exclusion & denial of our communities is what DC bipartisan deals require. That’s how you get GOP on board: don’t do much/any for the working class & low income,or women, or poc communities, or unions, etc. We must do more.”

This is why a bipartisan pkg alone isn’t acceptable. The exclusion & denial of our communities is what DC bipartisan deals require. That’s how you get GOP on board : don’t do much/any for the working class & low income,or women, or poc communities, or unions,etc. We must do more.

— Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@AOC) June 24, 2021

Ocasio-Cortez said that bipartisan deals hinge upon neglecting disadvantaged groups: “For many communities, their not having a seat at the table is a precondition for bipartisan deals to work in the 1st place. & that’s not only seen as normal, but valued.”

That’s why folks can sometimes come across as careless when saying “well isn’t something better than nothing?”

For many communities, their not having a seat at the table is a precondition for bipartisan deals to work in the 1st place. & that’s not only seen as normal, but valued

— Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@AOC) June 24, 2021

“Meanwhile, when representatives of excluded communities object to the exclusion & marginalization required to make many bipartisan deals work, they’re dismissed as ‘unreasonable,’” she alleged. “So who/what often benefits from this type of bipartisan dealmaking? Corporations & structural racism.”

Meanwhile, when representatives of excluded communities object to the exclusion &marginalization required to make many bipartisan deals work, they’re dismissed as “unreasonable.”

So who/what often benefits from this type of bipartisan dealmaking? Corporations & structural racism

— Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@AOC) June 24, 2021

“‘Isn’t something better than nothing’ assumes that none of the individuals involved agreed to harmful policies. A huge assumption,” the lawmaker concluded.

This is not to say that any/all bipartisan deals are bad but it’s to ask people to actually read what’s inside them instead of assume bipartisan=good

“Isn’t something better than nothing” assumes that none of the individuals involved agreed to harmful policies. A huge assumption

— Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@AOC) June 24, 2021

On Thursday, President Biden was joined at the White House by Sen. Kyrsten Sinema (D-AZ), Sen. Mitt Romney (R-UT), Sen. Joe Manchin (D-WV), and other lawmakers to unveil a $1.2 trillion “Bipartisan Infrastructure Framework.” Twenty-one Senators — eleven Republicans and ten Democrats — have reportedly backed the deal so far.

Soon after the White House unveiled its $2.7 trillion American Jobs Plan in March, negotiations proved to be unfruitful in the Senate. Center-leaning Republican lawmakers proposed a $928 billion plan last month that emphasized physical infrastructure rather than new federal education and healthcare programs.

Other progressive lawmakers also expressed disappointment with the Bipartisan Infrastructure Framework.

“I’ve said all along: no climate, no deal,” tweeted Sen. Ed Markey (D-MA). “The bipartisan framework doesn’t get us there. So I agree with our leadership that this must be resolved in reconciliation. Until then, I’m still no climate, no deal — let’s get this done.”

I’ve said all along: no climate, no deal. The bipartisan framework doesn’t get us there. So I agree with our leadership that this must be resolved in reconciliation. Until then, I’m still no climate, no deal – let’s get this done.

— Ed Markey (@SenMarkey) June 24, 2021