Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez Alexandria Ocasio-CortezHouse passes bill to avert shutdown Trump attacks Omar for criticizing US: 'How did you do where you came from?' The Memo: Dems face balancing act on SCOTUS fight MORE (D-N.Y.), a progressive proponent of fighting climate change and backer of the Green New Deal, said she encouraged Senate Democrats to vote "present" on the plan’s Senate resolution.

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When asked why so many Democrats in the upper chamber voted “present,” Ocasio-Cortez responded that she advised them to do so and slammed Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell Addison (Mitch) Mitchell McConnellPelosi: Trump hurrying to fill SCOTUS seat so he can repeal ObamaCare Senate GOP aims to confirm Trump court pick by Oct. 29: report Trump argues full Supreme Court needed to settle potential election disputes MORE (R-Ky.) for pushing a vote on the floor without a hearing in an attempt to put Democrats on the record about the proposal ahead of the 2020 elections.

“McConnell tried to rush the #GreenNewDeal straight to the floor without a hearing. The real question we should be asking: Why does the Senate GOP refuse to hold any major hearings on climate change?” Ocasio-Cortez tweeted Tuesday.

Because I encouraged them to vote present, along w/ others.



McConnell tried to rush the #GreenNewDeal straight to the floor without a hearing.



The real question we should be asking: Why does the Senate GOP refuse to hold any major hearings on climate change? https://t.co/de8oKOXeJf — Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@AOC) March 26, 2019

The Senate on Tuesday voted down the plan, which would seek to combat climate change by investing in eco-friendly jobs and transforming the economy into one solely reliant on renewable sources of energy. The upper chamber voted 0-57 on taking up the resolution.

Sens. Joe Manchin Joseph (Joe) ManchinThe Hill's Morning Report - Sponsored by Facebook - Trump, GOP allies prepare for SCOTUS nomination this week Trump meets with potential Supreme Court pick Amy Coney Barrett at White House Names to watch as Trump picks Ginsburg replacement on Supreme Court MORE (D-W.Va.), Kyrsten Sinema (D-Ariz.), Doug Jones (D-Ala.) and Angus King Angus KingGovernment watchdog recommends creation of White House cyber director position Democrats step up hardball tactics as Supreme Court fight heats up Shakespeare Theatre Company goes virtual for 'Will on the Hill...or Won't They?' MORE (I-Maine) voted with the Republicans against the measure, while the rest of the Democratic caucus voted “present.”

Republicans have seized on the initiative ahead of 2020 elections as a sign that the Democratic Party is drifting further to the left. Every Democratic senator running for the White House in 2020 has co-sponsored the Senate's Green New Deal resolution, though the party is still split over the proposal’s cost and if its goals are realistic.

“The American people will see, they will see which of their senators can do the common sense thing and vote 'no' on this destructive socialist daydream. And they will see which senators are so fully committed to radical left-wing ideology that they can’t even vote no on self-inflicted economic ruin,” McConnell said.

Senate Democrats were quick to slam McConnell’s move as a stunt meant to expose divisions within the party.

“Today’s #GreenNewDeal vote is a partisan stunt to side-step needed debate on climate action, and give Republicans cover to put oil lobby checks over our kids. I’ve come to expect nothing less from [McConnell]. I’ll be voting ‘present.’ I don't play ball with bad-faith farces,” Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand Kirsten GillibrandSunday shows preview: Justice Ginsburg dies, sparking partisan battle over vacancy before election Suburban moms are going to decide the 2020 election Jon Stewart urges Congress to help veterans exposed to burn pits MORE (D-N.Y.), one of several Senate Democrats running for president, tweeted before the vote.

Today's #GreenNewDeal vote is a partisan stunt to side-step needed debate on climate action, and give Republicans cover to put oil lobby checks over our kids. I've come to expect nothing less from @senatemajldr.



I'll be voting "present." I don't play ball with bad-faith farces. — Kirsten Gillibrand (@SenGillibrand) March 26, 2019

Ocasio-Cortez and Sen. Ed Markey Edward (Ed) John MarkeySchumer: 'Nothing is off the table' if GOP moves forward with Ginsburg replacement Democrats see fundraising spike following Ginsburg death Democratic senator calls for eliminating filibuster, expanding Supreme Court if GOP fills vacancy MORE (D-Mass.) introduced companion legislation for the Green New Deal in February.