Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez

Congresswoman

Democrat

Progressive

Politician

Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, born October 13, 1989, is the U.S. Representative for New York's 14th Congressional District since 2019. A Democratic Socialist, she rose to prominence with a stunning 2018 primary upset over 10-term incumbent Joe Crowley, becoming the youngest woman elected to Congress at age 29. Previously a bartender and community organizer, she serves on the House Financial Services and Oversight Committees. A key member of "The Squad," Ocasio-Cortez champions the Green New Deal, Medicare for All, and student debt relief. In 2024, she won re-election decisively and endorsed Kamala Harris after Joe Biden's presidential withdrawal.

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Independent

Independence Score

Says vs Does

What they claim vs what their actions show

🗣️ SAYS THEY ARE

Democratic Socialist

⚡ ACTUALLY ALIGNS

Democratic Party

🎯 Primary Loyalties (Ranked)

Democratic Party
New York-14 Constituents
Progressive Causes
Labor Unions

📋 Actions That Prove It

✓Voted yes on the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (November 5, 2021), providing $1.2 trillion for transportation, broadband, and other infrastructure projects.
✓Voted yes on the Inflation Reduction Act (August 12, 2022), allocating funds for clean energy incentives alongside provisions for oil and gas leasing.
✓Endorsed Kamala Harris for president on July 21, 2024, following Joe Biden's withdrawal from the race.
✓Voted yes on the December 20, 2023, continuing resolution funding government operations, including foreign aid allocations.

⚠️ Contradictions

•Publicly advocates Medicare for All as a single-payer system but voted for the American Rescue Plan Act (March 10, 2021), which expanded Affordable Care Act subsidies rather than replacing it.
•Promotes the Green New Deal calling for rapid fossil fuel phase-out but supported the Inflation Reduction Act permitting millions of acres of new oil and gas leases.
•Criticizes U.S. military aid to Israel and calls for a Gaza ceasefire but voted yes on spending bills including such aid, like the December 2023 continuing resolution.

Career Background

•U.S. Representative for New York's 14th Congressional District (2019–present)
•Ranking Member, House Financial Services Subcommittee on Digital Assets, Financial Technology and Artificial Intelligence (2023–present)
•Bartender and waitress at Flats Fix and Union Coffee in New York City (2011–2018)
•National organizer and fundraiser, Bernie Sanders 2016 presidential campaign
•Co-founder and organizer, Brand New Congress and Justice Democrats (2017)
•Intern, U.S. Senator Ted Kennedy's office (2008)

Endorsements

•Endorsed Bernie Sanders in 2020 Democratic presidential primaries
•Received endorsement from Bernie Sanders for 2020 reelection
•Received endorsement from Justice Democrats for 2018 primary
•Endorsed progressive candidates including Jamaal Bowman, Cori Bush, and Greg Casar
•Endorsed by Working Families Party and New York Communities for Change