On Monday, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) took aim at Sen. JD Vance (R-Ohio) after the Republican vice presidential candidate defended his prior criticisms of Democrats as being “antifamily.” Vance, speaking on multiple Sunday morning talk shows, reaffirmed his stance, arguing that certain public policies have strayed from supporting family life. He suggested policy measures like expanding the child tax credit and eliminating surprise medical bills as ways to bolster family support.
“I’m pro-family,” Vance stated on CNN. “My goal is to encourage the formation of more families. While challenges such as health issues or not finding the right partner sometimes arise, our nation’s public policies have increasingly become less supportive of family structures.”
Ocasio-Cortez responded by highlighting a range of family-friendly policies championed by Democrats, such as raising the minimum wage, implementing paid parental leave, and improving healthcare access.
“If Vance is genuinely concerned about family support,” Ocasio-Cortez posted on X, “one would expect him to endorse these pro-family measures. But it seems he’s more interested in using this issue as a pretext to impose restrictive policies on women.”
Vance had previously targeted Ocasio-Cortez with his 2021 remarks, labeling her as having a “sociopathic attitude towards families” and criticizing her for her stance on family-related issues. This criticism was particularly pointed in the context of her policies and positions.
Vance has made family policy a central theme in his vice presidential campaign, yet his critics, including Democrats, have challenged his commitment to pro-family policies. The debate intensified last week when Vance voted against expanding the child tax credit. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) seized this opportunity to criticize Vance, noting the apparent contradiction in Republican rhetoric versus action on family support policies.
“Senate Republicans frequently tout themselves as the champions of family and business,” Schumer remarked on the Senate floor. “Yet, it’s puzzling to see such strong opposition to expanding the child tax credit while supporting corporate tax incentives. The contrast is clear, and it raises questions about their true priorities.”