Congressman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez traveled to Houston with a Texas-sized gift in support of families suffering from the recent freezing, power outages and water emergencies.
The New York progressive announced on Saturday that he has raised more than $ 3 million in donations for relief efforts in Texas and more is still coming.
“We reached $ 3.2 million in assistance for Texans across the state last night,” said Ocasio-Cortez at Houston Food Bank on Saturday morning. “I think it shows that New York is with you, but the whole country is with you.”
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She said donations are still coming and she hopes they can reach $ 4 million.
“We are in Texas, so we have to grow with our support. And we hope to grow even more. We hope to get even more right,” said Ocasio-Cortez.
She said that 100% of the money raised through her vast network of grassroots political donors will go directly to help Texans. The funds will be divided among 10 humanitarian aid organizations, including food, housing and support for the elderly.
Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, DN.Y., speaks at the Houston Food Bank on February 20, 2021, where she announced the withdrawal of $ 3.2 million in humanitarian aid funds.
She said she wanted to help Houston Food Bank, in particular, because anyone can receive help, regardless of their immigration status.
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“Here at Houston Food Bank, there are no questions. You come and you need help, you don’t need to prove anything,” said Ocasio-Cortez.
Ocasio-Cortez’s visit to Texas comes amid a public relations storm for Senator Ted Cruz, R-Texas, who was caught on vacation in Cancún with his family while millions of Texans were trapped in icy homes without electricity or potable water. Cruz interrupted his trip amid widespread criticism and regretted it when he returned home.
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Ocasio-Cortez has repeatedly called for Cruz’s resignation for spearheading the effort to challenge President Biden’s electoral victory, which was the backdrop to the January 6 riot on Capitol Hill.
On Saturday, Ocasio-Cortez said he wanted to focus on civil servants, especially women, who were on the ground helping people during the disaster. She gave a shout out to Texas Democratic deputies, Sylvia Garcia and Sheila Jackson Lee, who accompanied her to the food bank.
“They are here and on the ground. And they are helping the Texans and knocking on their neighbors’ doors,” said Ocasio-Cortez. “We are going to focus on the people who are doing the work – the leaders and the champions.”