The New York Democrat also said that race played a role in the removal of the two lawmakers, who are Black.
“It was deeply about racism,” said Ocasio-Cortez, who referred to “absolutely disrespectful and denigrating comments made to the Black members of the Tennessee House.”
She further noted that Rep. Gloria Johnson — a white Democrat who had similarly participated in the protest and faced an expulsion vote — narrowly kept her seat.
Ocasio-Cortez joins a number of other noteworthy Democrats who have bashed the House expulsions, including President Joe Biden, Vice President Kamala Harris, former President Barack Obama and former Vice President Al Gore.
