Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez Talks Bernie Sanders, the 2020 Census and Her New Puppy

- So a lot of people are saying now that, look, we're basically left with two candidates, it seems. And everyone is worried: If one wins, will the other's supporters agree to support the Democratic candidate? That's a question you get asked a lot. Is it safe to assume that you will support Joe Biden if he is the candidate? -Yes, you know, I think... You know, I've said throughout this process that what's so important is that, ultimately, we unite behind who the Democratic candidate is, and I think it's a two-way street. sense. I worry that some people will say that if Bernie is the nominee, they won't support him, and vice versa.

Right now, November, this is bigger than all of us, and we really need to make sure we defeat Donald Trump at the polls. Assuming and knowing how crazy this is going to get between now and then. -Yes, it does not seem that this is going to be a quiet electoral season. -It's not going to be cold, no. -No, it's not going to be cold. He's not going to say, "Honey, the debate has started. Let's have a glass of wine." -Yeah. -One thing that must be surreal for you is that in 2016 you knocked on doors for Bernie Sanders. -Yeah. -And then, two years later, you are elected congresswoman.

Now you're really on the stump with Bernie. When you go out on stage for these gigantic Bernie rallies, does it seem... does it seem as surreal to you as I imagine? -It's completely surreal. You know, four years ago, I was in the South Bronx, volunteering, helping to organize this massive rally in St. Mary's Park, and at that time, Bernie Sanders was one of the first Democratic candidates since, I think, Robert F. Kennedy will campaign in the South Bronx. And to have a candidate who really saw our community was really impactful, and now to be able to go out and witness what so many communities are experiencing across the country is just coming full circle and rewarding. -And, obviously, many things have changed for you in these four years.

Is it safe to assume that Bernie hasn't changed at all? -I think he has changed a little. I think he has changed, although he is famous for the consistency of him. -I mean, I think for those who are attracted to Bernie, that's something that's impossible to argue with. As far as a politician with consistency over the years, I mean, he really stands out. -He does, and he's been fighting for health care as a right this whole time, and it's... You know, now that I'm on the other side in Congress and you see how much pressure there is, you know, to concede. to many special interests...

The fact that he has relied on small donors since before the Internet blows my mind. It's like cashing small checks all this time and being really committed to a grassroots movement when it was much, much harder than it is even now, it's really phenomenal. -Another thing that will have enormous implications, not only in this election but in the next decade, is the

census

. Can you talk about how you're approaching this and try to explain to people exactly how important it is? -So, we are all going to receive

census

forms or a notice. We will all be mailed a message to complete the census in the next two weeks, so I think what's really important is that we all complete this.

It happens once every 10 years. Every person, regardless of their documentation status, regardless of their housing situation, income, etc., must be counted, and that determines how much our schools will be funded, how much infrastructure will be invested, and, of course, how many members of Congress each receives. community. And if they're not accounted for, you know... in some parts of New York City, in some communities, self-reports are about half of what we think they should be, and that has a real impact on the distribution of, You know, how many teachers your local schools get, so it's really important.

It is completely confidential and is even confidential within the federal government. Your census data is not shared with any other federal agency at all. So, don't worry if you have a creative living situation. They're not going to tell the owner or anything crazy like that. Don't worry. Totally safe. -Good advice. Good advice for my viewers. Hello to the 10 watching together right now. I'm so glad to see you have company for yourself. -I did. -I imagine that Washington, even if it is full of people, can be very lonely. You have a new dog. -Yes, Deco. -Deco. These are very... very attractive decoration photos. -Thank you.

Thank you. -Were they done professionally? -This was taken up in the House Rules Committee. He was the dog president of the time. -UH Huh. -He rotates, so there is a cast of characters, and then they very kindly invite the dogs of many members to take photos there. -Oh, this wasn't a special deal for you. It is a group of rotating dogs. -Yes, it's a thing. So, there are many different dog chairs today. -By the way, I don't know why that's not on C-SPAN because... -It should be! -It should be because C-SPAN is boring and needs more dogs. -It would be like the Puppy Bowl. - Yes, exactly.

Hey, thank you very much for being here. It's always very nice to have you on the show. Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.