DELUDED? Ocasio-Cortez 'encouraged' despite Senate rejection of 'socialist' Green New Deal

The lawmaker introduced the policy resolution last month which aims to eliminate US greenhouse gas emissions within a decade. The non-binding resolution lost 57-0 in the Sentate, with 43 Democrats voting “present”. The 29-year-old said afterwards: “You had the Republicans voting ‘no’ and you had virtually the entire Democratic caucus voting ‘present,’ even those in tough states.

“That is an extraordinary amount of unity within the Senate to actually vote in that cohesive of a bloc, so I’m very encouraged.”

Ms Ocasio-Cortez filed the deal with US Senator Edward Markey.

The proposal was the first formal attempt to define potential legislation to create investments in clean energy and infrastructure.

Republicans were quick to criticise the plan.

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Senator Ted Cruz tweeted on Tuesday it was “a radical socialist proposal”.

He added: “The Green New Deal is a wonderful illustration of just how extreme the Democrats have become.”

US President Donald Trump deems it unnecessary to take any action on climate change.

Instead, he has focused on increasing production of oil, gas and coal on federal and private lands.

Ms Ocasio-Cortez rose to prominence in 2018 when she became the youngest woman in Congress.

Her beliefs on climate change have made her a darling of the Democrats.

Earlier this week beloved TV naturalist Sir David Attenborough said he wanted to try and change Trump’s views.

He said: “I have no idea as to whether I could convince him, but it would be cowardly not to take up the challenge, would it not?”

source: express.co.uk