Sen. John Fetterman watched the House devolve into a screaming match about false eyelashes, and he rolled his eyes at the parties responsible. Fetterman tweeted a CNN headline about “chaos” fomented by Reps. Marjorie Taylor Green and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.
“In the past, I’ve described the U.S. House as The Jerry Springer Show,” Fetterman added. “Today, I’m apologizing to The Jerry Springer Show.”
Ocasio-Cortez wasn’t happy, and shot back an angry response at Fetterman.
The New York Democrat could have mentioned Fetterman’s own record of flouting the Capitol’s dress code. She could have told him to mind the Senate’s business instead of wagging his finger at the House. She could have faulted Fetterman, a former mayor, for picking on Jerry Springer, another former mayor.
Instead, the socialist superstar accused Fetterman of racism and sexism — a Democrat special.
“I understand you likely would not have stood up for your colleague and seem to be confused about racism and misogyny being a “both sides” issue. But I stand up to bullies, instead of becoming one,” Ocasio-Cortez tweeted.
“And to the women of Pennsylvania: I’d stand up for you too. Enjoy your Friday.”
Ocasio-Cortez has acknowledged her lack of popularity in swing constituencies, like Pennsylvania. It’s unclear how, exactly, she plans to “stand up” for the women of the Keystone State.
Pennsylvania women have a maternal mortality rate more than twice as high as the national average. They don’t appear to benefit from watching U.S. representatives argue about false eyelashes.
Ocasio-Cortez encouraged the House to devolve into bedlam over Greene’s spare comment about the appearance of Rep. Jasmine Crockett, D-Texas.
Crockett asked Green, “Do you know what we’re here for?”
Greene retorted, “I don’t think you know what you’re here for … I think your fake eyelashes are messing up what you’re reading.”
Ocasio-Cortez could have moved the meeting forward, but she belabored the issue instead. “That is absolutely unacceptable. How dare you attack the physical appearance of another person,” Ocasio-Cortez said on the House floor.
Congress has faced criticism for attacking its own instead of passing long-term bills. During this term, the House has censured several members and even expelled one.
The Democrats may control only one chamber of Congress… but they’re doing enough infighting for two.