In a recent video, U.S. Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, often referred to by her initials, AOC, criticized the Food and Drug Administration for treating sunscreen as a drug. She pointed out that the FDA’s regulations have stymied progress, leading to inferior sunscreen products in the U.S. compared to those available in Europe and South Korea. She encouraged viewers to contact their congressional representatives about this concern.
AOC is a prominent member of The Squad, a group of U.S. representatives with progressive stances that frequently place them to the left of much of the Democratic Party, and she is also a member of the Democratic Socialists of America. As a consequence, her call for less restrictive sunscreen regulation has surprised many. Several prominent conservatives and economic liberals have expressed appreciation for her stance.
A week prior, she released a video in which she expressed frustration over the NYC Sanitation raid that disrupted the bustling economic activity in Corona Plaza. Many street vendors were operating without proper licenses due to the limited availability of those licenses despite the clear demand for their goods and services. Both videos highlight an unexpected alignment in policy objectives between her and economic liberals.
These videos underscore the value of building coalitions in a representative democracy. Although we might align ourselves with specific political factions, we will often find common ground with those we might typically disagree with. It’s our hope that AOC collaborates with other members of Congress to amend the FDA’s approach to sunscreen, ensuring that all Americans can safely enjoy the outdoors, and that she is successful in enabling more small businesses and entrepreneurs to operate in New York City.