AOC responds after critics condemn her use of gas stove amid talks of future ban on the appliance

New York Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez responded to critics this week who slammed her for having a gas stove in her apartment in spite of new talks of banning sales of gas stoves in the future.

The House Democrat posted a video to Instagram to fire back at social media users who were quick to dig up older photos of AOC in her kitchen with a gas stove in the frame. The backlash over her use of a gas stove stems from a rumor that a federal agency was planning on banning gas stoves in the United States over environmental and health concerns.

Ocasio-Cortez told her 8.6 million followers, “First of all, I rent. Period. Second of all, though, it doesn’t even matter, because by that logic these are the same people who would have said we should have never gotten rid of leaded gasoline just because someone may have driven a gasoline car.” 

She added, “This is about a decision about what may be sold and regulations in the far future, OK? So everyone, just take the temperature down a little bit. No secret government agency is going to bust down your door and take your gas stove away.”

The rumors of a gas stove ban were spurred by a comment from Richard L. Trumka Jr. of the US Consumer Product Safety Commission, who told Bloomberg earlier this month that the pollutants emitted from gas stoves could potentially cause health and environmental hazards that would require a possible ban on future sales of the appliances.

Conservatives were quick to react on social media, rallying their followers against the ban of gas stoves.

Trumka later clarified on Twitter. “To be clear, CPSC isn’t coming for anyone’s gas stoves. Regulations apply to new products,” he wrote. “For Americans who CHOOSE to switch from gas to electric, there is support available – Congress passed the Inflation Reduction Act which includes an $840 rebate.”