Johnson knocks Ocasio-Cortez 'publicity stunts' after criticism

House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) criticized Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) and Democrats their “publicity stunts” during the government shutdown, saying that Republicans were hard at work.

“Instead of doing publicity stunts, like AOC likes to do, instead of making social media videos, Republicans are working,” Johnson said in a Thursday appearance on CNN’s “The Lead.” 

“They're in their districts doing very valuable work,” he said. “What are they doing? They're trying to help their constituents navigate through this crisis that has been created by Democrats like AOC.”

He added that representatives were trying to help constituents navigate a crisis created by “Democrats like AOC,” pointing to her Sept. 19 vote against a continuing resolution to temporarily fund the government supported by House Republicans. 

“She voted to stop services to the elderly and disabled and veterans,” he said. “That's her vote record. And she's trying to obscure that fact and blame Republicans.”

Ocasio-Cortez criticized Republicans at a Wednesday CNN town hall, saying they wouldn’t even “pick up a phone to negotiate.” 

“I have never seen people who hate working so much in my life,” she said. She called out Johnson specifically, saying he was not negotiating daily with Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.).

“Any day that you don’t do that is a failure,” Ocasio-Cortez said. 

Johnson and Ocasio-Cortez have repeatedly traded barbs during the shutdown. Johnson and several other prominent Republicans have said that Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) has rallied Democrats in voting against the resolution out of fear of alienating his left-wing voter base ahead of a possible primary challenge from Ocasio-Cortez.

The Senate has failed to pass a continuing resolution nine times since the government shutdown began on Oct. 1. 

To increase pressure on Senate Democrats, Johnson cancelled all votes this week and warned the House would not be back in session until the Senate passed a funding bill.

Ocasio-Cortez said Jeffries and Schumer were spearheading the shutdown fight and called rumors of her influence “ridiculous,” “desperate” and “an insane suggestion.”

“They are all talk,” she said. “They are negotiating with Chuck Schumer and Hakeem Jeffries and Democratic leadership, and Democrats are united to that end.”