Rep. AOC criticizes President Biden for not using executive powers to ‘assist the American people’

One of U.S. President Joe Biden’s recent critics includes progressive member of his own party, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York, who says he should live up to his duty to investigate every possible option to assist the American people, which includes using his executive authority.

Ocasio-Cortez made the comments during an interview with David Remnick of The New Yorker. 

“The Presidency is so much larger than just the votes in the legislature,” said the New York congresswoman. “The President has not been using his executive power to the extent that some would say is necessary.”

The remarks given by Ocasio-Cortex pointed to moderate Democratic Sens. Joe Manchin of West Virginia and Kyrsten Sinema of Arizona, whose combined efforts have managed to block the advancement of Biden’s Build Back Better agenda due to key parts, like free community college, 12 weeks of paid family leave, and climate change provisions.

As Ocasio-Cortez acknowledged that some elements are outside of Biden’s control, she argued that “there are some things within the president’s control, and his hesitancy around them has contributed to a situation that isn’t as optimal.”

She added that she doubts any legislation “that will significantly and materially improve the lives of working people” would get past Manchin and Sinema in the Senate. 

“The President has a responsibility to look at the tools that he has,” the congresswoman argued, nodding at student loan cancellation, which the Biden administration said must be done through legislation. “It’s entirely within his power. This really isn’t a conversation about providing relief to a small, niche group of people. It’s very much a keystone action politically. I think it’s a keystone action economically as well,” she said.