GOP lawmaker: Amazon would be moving into NY if Ocasio-Cortez wasn’t elected

Rep. Pete King (R-N.Y.) blasted progressive Democrats who opposed Amazon opening part of its second headquarters in New York, calling the company’s decision to leave a “disaster.”

“It’s like putting a sign up that you can’t do business in New York,” he said during an interview with radio host John Catsimatidis that aired Sunday on AM 970 in New York.

“Nothing is ever perfect, but in this case, it was as close to it as you’re going to get,” he added.

The GOP lawmaker argued that Amazon would be setting up shop in New York if Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.), a fierce opponent of Amazon’s plans to open half of its second headquarters in New York’s Long Island City, had not been elected.{mosads}

“If Joe Crowley was still the congressman, it wouldn’t have happened,” King said, referring to the longtime House member whom Ocasio-Cortez defeated in a Democratic primary last year.

King also argued that the New York state legislature was to blame for Amazon’s decision to scrap plans for new offices in New York, which it announced on Thursday.

“The Democrats now control everything. If the Republicans controlled the state Senate, this would not have happened. And the fact is, that is where it was really killed,” he said.

Amazon announced Thursday that it would no longer be putting part of its second headquarters in New York after opposition from local and national activists and progressive groups. 

Ocasio-Cortez celebrated the decision Thursday.

“Today was the day a group of dedicated, everyday New Yorkers & their neighbors defeated Amazon’s corporate greed, its worker exploitation, and the power of the richest man in the world,” she tweeted.  

Anything is possible: today was the day a group of dedicated, everyday New Yorkers & their neighbors defeated Amazon’s corporate greed, its worker exploitation, and the power of the richest man in the world. https://t.co/nyvm5vtH9k

— Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@AOC) February 14, 2019

King added in his interview over the weekend that he hopes New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) will “stand up” to progressive politicians from his party in the wake of the Amazon decision.

“He’s got to tell the progressive left that they cannot take over his party,” he said.

King tweeted similar sentiments Friday. 

“Clear lesson from @Amazon disaster: Time for New York Gov’t leaders to speak out and make it clear that radical progressives will not control decisions affecting future of NY,” he wrote. “Real leaders don’t surrender to fear or intimidation or stay quiet when strong voices are needed.”

Clear lesson from @Amazon disaster: Time for New York Gov’t leaders to speak out and make it clear that radical progressives will not control decisions affecting future of NY. Real leaders don’t surrender to fear or intimidation or stay quiet when strong voices are needed.

— Rep. Pete King (@RepPeteKing) February 15, 2019