Ocasio-Cortez responds to Harris on fracking: It’s ‘bad actually’

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) weighed in on the issue of fracking during the vice presidential debate Wednesday night, tweeting that fracking is “bad” as the candidates debated environmental issues.

“Fracking is bad, actually,” the New York congresswoman tweeted after Sen. Kamala Harris (D-Calif.) noted that Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden is not seeking to ban the practice.

Fracking is bad, actually

— Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@AOC) October 8, 2020

Ocasio-Cortez serves as a co-chair of the Biden campaign’s climate task force.

President Trump has repeatedly falsely claimed that Biden would seek to ban the practice of fracking, particularly in the must-win state of Pennsylvania where it is a major industry. Vice President Pence reiterated the claim in Wednesday’s vice presidential debate.

Biden, in turn, has emphasized his opposition to fracking bans.

“I am not banning fracking,” the former vice president said in an August campaign appearance in Pennsylvania. “Let me say that again: I am not banning fracking no matter how many times Donald Trump lies about me.”  

Ocasio-Cortez has frequently criticized mainstream Democratic leaders from the left on environmental and energy issues, and Pence repeatedly attempted to tie Harris to Ocasio-Cortez’s signature Green New Deal proposals during the Wednesday night debate.