House Speaker Nancy Pelosi claimed there was “no hatchet” to bury after a sit-down with Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, likening the ongoing tensions to being in a “family.”
But the California Democrat was clearly irritated with reporters clamoring for details about their one-on-one meeting on Friday, reportedly walking “briskly” away while chiding them for covering the event rather than more pressing issues.
Today, Congresswoman @RepAOC and I sat down to discuss working together to meet the needs of our districts and our country, fairness in our economy and diversity in our country. pic.twitter.com/eVp1LS0Gpw
— Nancy Pelosi (@SpeakerPelosi) July 26, 2019
Pelosi dismissed the interest in their meeting as routine, saying she huddles with members “all the time.”
.@SpeakerPelosi doesn’t want to talk abt her meeting w/ @AOC. Walks briskly away from reporters & chides them on even covering it. Says she huddles with members “all the time”
“I wish you would be interested in [my meeting] from yesterday on $ 4 community health centers.”
— Rachael Bade (@rachaelmbade) July 26, 2019
Despite months of headlines highlighting the internal tensions of the Democratic caucus, and Ocasio-Cortez’s very vocal criticisms of the Speaker, Pelosi said their meeting went “very well” as she responded to questions during her weekly press conference.
Asked if the meeting served to successfully “bury the hatchet,” Pelosi quickly dismissed the notion.
(Video: YouTube/CBS News)
“I wouldn’t say there was any hatchet,” she said, adding “we are in the political arena,” when the reporter pressed on the freshman congresswoman calling Pelosi disrespectful.
The Democrat leader, who has served in the House for more than 30 years, went on to note that she has “some level of confidence and, actually, joy in seeing the diversity in our caucus.”
“We are the Democratic Party. Ever since I came here, we have been engaged in differences of opinion in our caucus and that is a good thing,” she said.
“In our caucus, we have our differences. Respect that instead of making a big issue of it,” she told reporters. “Those are our differences and how we express ourselves as representatives of our districts is our responsibility.”
Again she noted how reporters were not asking about issues and the latest measures being voted on in the House, choosing instead to focus on her meeting with the freshman lawmaker.
“I would never even say that it was a hatchet,” the 79-year-old Democrat continued.
“We sat down today, we had a good meeting. The congresswoman is a very gracious member of Congress, so we had a very positive conversation about our districts and how we represent them, our country,” she said, noting that they spoke about various topics including diversity, immigration and President Trump.
“I’ve always felt, again, [it’s] just like you’re in a family. In a family you have your differences. But you’re still family,” she added, asking the same reporter if her family agrees on everything.
“Yeah, but sometimes we have meetings to clear the air,” she responded.
“You do have meetings in your family?” Pelosi asked to laughter.
“Oh my goodness, well you might be a model,” she said, adding “and we just had a meeting to clear the air.”
Ahead of the meeting, Ocasio-Cortez had noted she wanted to ” just connect and make sure we are communicating.”
Rep. @AOC on meeting with Speaker Pelosi: “I think the goal is just to open a line of communication and making sure that we’re all on the same page on everything.” pic.twitter.com/aZi16YoBZq
— The Hill (@thehill) July 25, 2019
Following the meeting in Pelosi’s office, the 29-year New York congresswoman told NBC News that the meeting was “positive” and “productive” and that Pelosi had “absolutely” respected her opinion.
“I’m looking forward to us continuing our work. As always the speaker respects the fact that we’re coming together as a party and that unity,” she said.
The sudden “family” bonding left many skeptical Twitter users wondering what really went on behind closed doors.
— Stephen Miller (@redsteeze) July 26, 2019
The meeting with AOC? All is good in the house of Pelosi. Nothing to see here.
— Truth be told (@Truthbe46567003) July 26, 2019
AOC has completely taken over the Democrat Party.
Pelosi said it herself: “I don’t think we have that many differences.” https://t.co/6kWUkz0Yvh
— Ronna McDaniel (@GOPChairwoman) July 26, 2019
“Sorry I called you racist.”
“Accepted. Sorry I called you a bats**t crazy lunatic.”
“Acce….wait, what?” https://t.co/gCNDryGSlc
— Doug Powers (@ThePowersThatBe) July 26, 2019
I think Nancy is holding a knife in her left hand.
— Terry, LEO (Ret.) ?? (@editor_wp) July 26, 2019
So nice for the leader of the Democratic party to take time out of her busy schedule to meet with Nancy Pelosi. https://t.co/lbfU4UdfHV
— Sarah Matthews (@SarahAMatthews1) July 26, 2019
Hahah this photo op is as fake as AOC crying at a fence https://t.co/tvMqaYnqxJ
— Bob Malak (@bob_malak) July 26, 2019
It’s the “Move along, nothing to see here” phase of the downfall of the modern Democratic Party power structure https://t.co/QVuu4A61MC
— Jeff Poor (@jeff_poor) July 26, 2019
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Originally from New York, Powers graduated from New York University and eventually made her way to sunny South Florida where she has been writing for the BizPacReview team since 2015.
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