Progressive Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., told Newsmax that some elements of the U.S. Senate were "founded" on racism.
Ocasio-Cortez declined to distance herself from a Democratic Socialists of America proposal calling for the abolition of the Senate, instead criticizing parts of the institution while stopping short of endorsing its elimination.
Speaking Thursday with Newsmax congressional correspondent Kilmeny Duchardt outside the Capitol, AOC repeatedly sidestepped questions about whether she rejects the DSA platform plank.
"I mean, again, I'm not running for any larger office presently," she said when asked about the proposal.
AOC added that abolishing the Senate "is, of course, a constitutional question."
When Duchardt pressed the lawmaker on whether she supports the Senate itself, Ocasio-Cortez criticized the chamber's history.
"We've all got our complaints," she said. "I don't support the filibuster. I don't support elements of this institution that we know ... were founded on Jim Crow."
She also noted that eliminating the Senate would require a constitutional convention and approval by two-thirds of the states.
The exchange aired Friday morning on "National Report," where Duchardt reported that Ocasio-Cortez "refused to distance herself" from one of the DSA's most controversial proposals.
The remarks quickly drew bipartisan criticism on Capitol Hill.
Sen. Peter Welch, D-Vt., rejected the idea of abolishing the Senate.
"My view is that you're not going to solve our problems by simply suggesting they can all be solved by abolishing the U.S. Senate," Welch told Newsmax.
Sen. Eric Schmitt, R-Mo., was more forceful, calling the argument "historically illiterate."
"I think that a lot of people who are spouting off of this have no concept of American history," Schmitt said. "They have no concept of what it means to protect individual liberty. And it's a pretty scary turn, I think, for the Democrats."
The controversy follows reports that the DSA has discussed an early endorsement of Ocasio-Cortez should she seek the Democratic Party presidential nomination in 2028.
Asked whether she wanted such an endorsement, Ocasio-Cortez brushed aside the speculation.
"I don't think I'm seeking any endorsement from any office I'm not currently seeking right now," she said. "I could run for dog catcher. I don't know."
The Senate was established by Article I of the U.S. Constitution in 1789 as one of Congress' two chambers.
Conservatives have argued that calls to abolish the Senate or weaken its institutional safeguards reflect a broader effort by the progressive left to reshape constitutional checks and balances after repeated legislative setbacks.
GET TODAY NEWSMAX+:
NEWSMAX is the fastest-growing cable news channel in America with more than 30 million people watching!
Reuters Institute reports NEWSMAX is one of the top news brands in the U.S.
You need to watch NEWSMAX today.
Get it with great shows from Rob Schmitt, Greta Van Susteren, Greg Kelly, Carl Higbie, Rob Finnerty – and many more!
Find the NEWSMAX channel on your cable system – Go Here Now
BEST OFFER:
Sign up for NEWSMAX+ and get NEWSMAX, our streaming channel NEWSMAX2 and our military channel World at War.
Find hundreds of shows, movies and specials.
Even get Jon Voight's special series and President Trump's comedy programs and much more!
Watch NEWSMAX+ on your smartphone or home TV app.
Watch NEWSMAX anytime, anywhere!
Start your FREE trial now: NewsmaxPlus.com