Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez delivers impassioned response to critics: 'I'm the boss. How about that?'

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Andrew Feinberg

White House Correspondent

Democratic congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez has accused critics of “not trying” to tackle climate change following opposition to her ambitious Green New Deal programme.

Ms Ocasio-Cortez addressed criticism she has faced from both Republicans and Democrats in Congress at a New York Hall of Science event.

“You know what? I don’t care anymore, because at least I’m trying and they’re not,” she said.

“I just introduced the Green New Deal two weeks ago and it’s creating all of this conversation, why? Because no one else has even tried.”

Her comments came during a discussion with Girls Who Code founder Reshma Saujani and young women of colour who have designed apps which address social issues.

Critics have claimed the Green New Deal resolution is too extreme and unworkable, with Donald Trump incorrectly suggesting it would “permanently eliminate all planes, cars, cows, oil, gas and the military”.

Ms Ocasio-Cortez added: “So people are like ‘Oh it’s unrealistic, oh it’s vague, oh it doesn’t address this little minute thing’ and I’m like ‘You try! You do it!’ Because you’re not, so until you do it, I’m the boss, How about that?”

The resolution, which has been proposed by Ms Ocasio-Cortez and senator Edward J Markey, sets out broad changes to American society which aim to reduce the effects of climate change.

It includes key goals of cutting greenhouse-gas emissions to net zero over 10 years and 100 per cent renewable energy in the US by 2030.

The proposal currently has the support of major Democratic presidential candidates Bernie Sanders, Elizabeth Warren, Kamala Harris, Cory Booker and Kirsten Gillibrand.

Senator Amy Klobuchar has said she would vote for the non-binding resolution but suggested she would oppose certain elements of the proposal when it came to the details of legislation.

Former vice president Al Gore and former UN secretary general Ban Ki-moon have also supported the idea in principle.

However, the resolution has faced opposition from fellow Democrats, such as California senator Dianne Feinstein.

Ms Feinstein was recently filmed arguing with a group of school children over the proposal, saying she could not support it because “there’s no way to pay for it”.

“I’ve been doing this for 30 years. I know what I’m doing,” she said.

“You come in here and you say it has to be my way or the highway. I don’t respond to that.”

Senate majority leader Mitch McConnell has said he intends to bring forward a vote on the Green New Deal, which would force Democrats to formally decide whether to back the proposal.

The resolution is not expected to pass the Senate, which is controlled by a Republican majority, and the planned vote has been criticised by Democratic leader Chuck Schumer as a "cynical ploy" to split the party.