Democratic Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez is drawing sharp criticism after appearing to claim the U.S. Senate was founded on racist Jim Crow laws during a discussion about the Democratic Socialists of America’s proposal to abolish the chamber.
The congresswoman, who stated she does not support the filibuster or “elements of this institution that we know were founded on Jim Crow,” has been accused of significant historical inaccuracy by multiple critics. Republicans and others noted that Jim Crow laws—enacted after Reconstruction—took effect over a century after the Senate’s establishment under the Constitution, making her assertion factually impossible.
Republican Sen. Ted Cruz condemned her remarks as evidence of “historical ignorance,” while Republican Sen. Mike Lee remarked that “to the far left, ‘Jim Crow’ means ‘anything I don’t like.’” Entrepreneur Tony Seruga added, “She’s off by an entire century and a completely different era of American history.” Congressional candidate Raven Harrison also echoed the criticism, stating: “The level of historical ignorance here is genuinely impressive.”
Supporters argued Ocasio-Cortez was referring to Senate procedural rules rather than the chamber’s founding. However, her comments have intensified debates over the Democratic Socialists of America’s growing influence and its more radical policy proposals following recent electoral gains in primary races.
