Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez argues that President Biden is not using his executive powers enough, urges him to cancel student loans

Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York argued that President Joe Biden has a duty to consider all options to help the American people, including his executive branch, in an interview with David Remnick of The New Yorker.

“The presidency is so much more important than votes in the Legislative Assembly,” the New York congresswoman said. “The president has not used his executive power to the extent that some would say is necessary.”

His remarks gave nods to moderate Democratic resisters, Sen. Joe Manchin of West Virginia and Sen. Kyrsten Sinema of Arizona, who successfully blocked key legislation in Biden’s Build Back Better program that included at the originated, in part, free community college, 12 weeks of paid family leave, and key climate change provisions.

While she acknowledges that there are some outcomes beyond Biden’s control, she also argues that “there are some things within the president’s control, and his hesitation about them has contributed to a situation that is not not as optimal”.

She said she doubted any legislation “that will significantly and materially improve the lives of workers” would pass Manchin and Sinema.

“The president has a responsibility to look at the tools he has,” she argued.

For her, that includes canceling the student loan. The Biden administration has argued that this must be done through legislation.

“It’s entirely in his power. It’s really not a conversation about helping a small group of people. It’s really a key action politically. I think it’s a key action as well economically,” she said.

She argued that the “current political moment” is critical and lawmakers are running out of time to “do everything we can”.

A representative for the congresswoman did not immediately respond to Insider’s request for comment.