AOC says GOP control lets Trump push agenda, urges voters to flip Congress

WASHINGTON, DC: Rep Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez said Republican control of Congress is allowing President Donald Trump to advance his agenda with little opposition. She urged voters to act in the upcoming midterm elections to shift the balance of power.

Speaking outside the United States Capitol on Thursday, the New York Democrat discussed the stakes with MeidasTouch reporter Pablo Manríquez, as lawmakers struggled over a major funding package for the Department of Homeland Security that ultimately collapsed.

AOC warns GOP control fuels Trump agenda

Ocasio-Cortez emphasized that Republican leadership in both chambers is central to Trump’s ability to pass policies. “We are in this position because Trump is president and Republicans have the Senate and House majorities,” she said.

She explained that holding a majority does more than tilt the vote count; it controls the inner workings of Congress. “People think Republicans having the majorities in these chambers just means they have more votes — it means they have control of every committee and every investigation. It means they decide what gets voted on,” she added.

Ocasio-Cortez also warned that the outcome of the midterms could determine whether Trump’s policies continue unchecked. “So who has the majorities in these midterms really does matter in stopping these horrors,” she said.

Activism credited for DHS funding collapse

Ocasio-Cortez highlighted grassroots organizers for helping derail the DHS funding measure, which would have provided billions to immigration enforcement agencies. The Senate bill fell apart amid growing opposition, something she said was “largely due to the work of those organizers.”

She linked the collapse to public frustration over immigration enforcement, noting it reflected a mix of congressional maneuvering and outside pressure. “Direct action has always been at the center,” she said, adding that protests and public demonstrations help Americans “recognize their power.”

Ocasio-Cortez rising as progressive voice in Washington

Now 36, Ocasio-Cortez has become a prominent progressive critic of Trump. Some allies have speculated about a potential Senate or White House run in 2028, fueled by recent social media polls showing her ahead of JD Vance in a hypothetical matchup.

Her remarks come as Democrats and progressive advocacy groups increase opposition to Trump administration immigration policies amid nationwide clashes between federal agents and protesters. Republicans currently hold a narrow majority in the House, with 218 seats compared with 213 for Democrats.