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Republican Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene confronted Democratic Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez in what witnesses described as an aggressive encounter outside the House chamber on Wednesday afternoon during which she accused the Democrat of supporting terrorists.
It prompted a complaint by Ocasio-Cortez's to authorities to ensure Congress remained 'a safe, civil place for all members and staff.'
The episode erupted on Wednesday afternoon after Ocasio-Cortez had criticized the Biden administration's stance on Israel.
© Provided by Daily MailMarjorie Taylor Greene accused Democrat Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of supporting 'terrorists' on Wednesday
© Provided by Daily MailAlexandria Ocasio-Cortez kept walking as Marjorie Taylor Greene accused her of supporting 'terrorists'
As Ocasio-Cortez left the House chamber Greene shouted 'Hey Alexandria' twice to get her attention, according to Washington Post journalists who saw the confrontation.
Greene tried to catch up to the New York representative, asking why she supports antifa and Black Lives Matter, describing them as 'terrorist' groups.
She then accused the left-wing Democrat of failing to defend her 'radical socialist' beliefs and refusing to debate her face-to-face.
'You don't care about the American people,' Greene shouted. 'Why do you support terrorists and antifa?'
Ocasio-Cortez kept walking, pausing only to throw up her hands in a gesture of exasperation, said the witnesses.
Her office responded by calling on congressional authorities to protect members of Congress and foster a climate for safe debate.
'Representative Greene tried to begin an argument with Congresswoman Ocasio-Cortez and when Rep. Ocasio-Cortez tried to walk away, Congresswoman Greene began screaming and called Rep. Ocasio-Cortez a terrorist sympathizer,' Ocasio-Cortez spokeswoman Lauren Hitt said in a statement given to the newspaper.
'We hope leadership and the Sergeant at Arms will take real steps to make Congress a safe, civil place for all members and staff - especially as many offices are discussing reopening. One member has already been forced to relocate her office due to Congresswoman Greene's attacks.'
© Provided by Daily MailGreene kept up her attacks on Twitter after their face-to-face encounter, accusing AOC of being afraid to defend her beliefs
After their exchange, Greene accused Ocasio-Cortez of cowardice.
'She's a chicken, she doesn't want to debate the Green New Deal,' she told reporters.
'These members are cowards.
'They need to defend their legislation to the people. That's pathetic.'
Greene has a record of spreading conspiracy theories and Democrats voted to strip her of committee assignments.
For her part, Ocasio-Cortez attracted criticism after wading into the spiraling Israel-Gaza conflict on Wednesday.
© Provided by Daily MailAOC took to Twitter on Wednesday, criticizing President Biden's comments on the spiraling Israel-Gaza violence, chiding him for overlooking what she said were the root causes of the conflict
She accused President Joe Biden of issuing a 'blanket statement' that failed to acknowledge the root causes of the crisis which included the Israeli police raid of the Al-Aqsa mosque and the looming evictions of dozens of Palestinians from their homes in East Jerusalem.
'By only stepping in to name Hamas' actions - which are condemnable - & refusing to acknowledge the rights of Palestinians, Biden reinforces the false idea that Palestinians instigated this cycle of violence,' she wrote on Twitter. 'This is not neutral language. It takes a side - the side of occupation.'
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