Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez says a 'considerable amount' of lawmakers 'still don’t yet feel safe around other members of congress'

On Cuomo Prime Time Thursday night, Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez spoke about the ongoing threat posed by members of congress bringing guns into the chamber with them, and how many colleagues see it as a security concern. Ocasio-Cortez missed the inauguration of President Joe Biden on Wednesday in favor of supporting striking grocery workers in the Bronx, but said safety concerns also played a role in her decision.
“I think we also had very real security concerns as well, as you mentioned earlier. We still don’t yet feel safe around other members of congress,” Ocasio-Cortez said. “How much is ‘we’?” asked Chris Cuomo. Ocasio-Cortez responded, “I think a very considerable amount.”
Following the deadly insurrection at the Capitol on January 6, some members of congress became suspicious that their Republican colleagues may have been in on it. Metal detectors were installed outside the House chamber, angering some Republicans. Some have clashed with Capitol police after setting off the metal detectors, while others have just ignored them altogether. Earlier on Thursday, Rep. Andy Harris (R-MD.) reportedly tried entering the House chamber with a gun but was turned away by Capitol police.
“The moment you bring a gun onto the House floor in violation of rules, you put everyone around you in danger,” Ocasio-Cortez said. “It is irresponsible. It is reckless. But beyond that, it is a violation of rules. You are openly disobeying the rules that we have established as a community, which means that you cannot be trusted to be held accountable to what we’ve decided as a community.”

Video transcript

ALEXANDRIA OCASIO-CORTEZ: We also had very real security concerns as well, as you mentioned earlier. We still don't yet feel safe around other members of Congress.

KYLIE MAR: Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez appeared on "Cuomo Prime Time" Thursday, where she spoke about the continuing threat of Republican lawmakers carrying guns onto the House floor. Ocasio-Cortez claims many Democrats feel the same as her.

ALEXANDRIA OCASIO-CORTEZ: I think a very considerable amount. A lot of members do not--

CHRIS CUOMO: You really think that colleagues of yours in Congress may do you dirty?

ALEXANDRIA OCASIO-CORTEZ: Yeah. Well, one just tried to bring a gun on the floor of the House today.

KYLIE MAR: Following the deadly Insurrection at the Capitol on January 6th, metal detectors were installed outside the House floor as an extra precaution due to suspicion that some House Republicans may have been in on it. Still, some Republicans are attempting to flout the new safety measures.

ALEXANDRIA OCASIO-CORTEZ: It is irresponsible. It is reckless. But beyond that, it is in violation of rules. You are openly disobeying the rules that we have established as a community, which means that you cannot be trusted.

KYLIE MAR: Besides facing the possibility of a hefty fine for lawmakers who bring a gun onto the House floor, Ocasio-Cortez says they are endangering their colleagues.

ALEXANDRIA OCASIO-CORTEZ: I don't care if you accidentally set it off. I don't care if you intentionally set it off. I don't care if you don't set it off at all; you are put-- you are endangering the lives of members of Congress. And it is absolutely outrageous that we even have to have this conversation.