Moment activists chase Sen. Sinema into BATHROOM at ASU and demand she back Biden's $3.5T social bill to address immigration issues
A group of activists followed Sen. Kyrsten Sinema into a bathroom at Arizona State University on Friday to demand that the Democrat address immigration issues.
The activists, seemingly college-aged, confronted the senator outside the classroom where she teaches and followed her into the nearby bathroom, recording the incident as they walked.
'We knocked on doors for you to get you elected. Just how we got you elected, we can get you out of office if you don't support what you promised us,' one activist threatened.
Another, who introduced herself as Blanca, attempted to pull at Sinema's heartstrings by sharing a personal anecdote.
'I was brought here to the United States when I was three years old and in 2010 my grandparents both got deported because of S.B. 1070 and I'm here because I definitely believe that we need a pathway to citizenship,' Blanca said.
'My grandfather passed away two weeks ago and I was not able to go to Mexico and visit him because there is no pathway to citizenship. And if we have the opportunity to pass it right now than we need to do it because there's millions of undocumented people, just like me, who share the same story.'
A group of activists followed Sen. Kyrsten Sinema into a bathroom at Arizona State University on Friday to demand that the Democrat address immigration issues
'We knocked on doors for you to get you elected. Just how we got you elected, we can get you out of office if you don't support what you promised us,' one activist threatened.
The activists begged Sinema — who did not engage in discussion — to support President Joe Biden's Build Back Better agenda that would provide a pathway to citizenship for illegal immigrants.
'We need the Build Back Better plan right now,' one is heard saying.
'I am a survivor of human trafficking and it's because of the lack of work protections that we don't have. I need you to stand by workers...' another shared before the video cut off.
Sinema initially told the activists she was 'heading out' and couldn't speak at the time. When they continued to follow her into the restroom, she ignored them as she used the facilities and washed her hands.
Video of the encounter, which was shared on social media, prompted response from Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Florida) who has openly opposed illegal immigration.
He shared the video on Twitter with a caption reading: '#DeportBlanca.'
DailyMail.com has reached out to Sinema for comment.
The video, which was shared on social media, prompted response from Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Florida) who has openly opposed illegal immigration
Sinema is one of the key holdouts on Biden's $3.5 trillion social spending bill.
She slammed leaders of her own party on Saturday over their 'inexcusable' failure to hold a vote on the $1.2 trillion bipartisan infrastructure plan.
'The failure of the U.S. House to hold a vote on the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act is inexcusable, and deeply disappointing for communities across our country,' Sinema wrote.
'Denying Americans millions of good-paying jobs, safer roads, cleaner water, more reliable electricity, and better broadband only hurts everyday families.'
Sen. Kyrsten Sinema (pictured with Senators Rob Portman, Joe Manchin and Jeanne Shaheen) slammed Democratic leaders on Saturday over their 'inexcusable' failure to hold a vote on the $1.2trillion bipartisan infrastructure plan
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi canceled the vote on the Senate-passed infrastructure bill on Thursday as several far-left caucus members vowed to tank President Joe Biden's $1 trillion infrastructure plan, which centrists support, if the moderate faction does not also back the broader $3.5 trillion social spending bill that is packed with their priorities.
Although Democrats did not have enough votes to pass the infrastructure bill, Sinema argues that cancelling it was 'an ineffective stunt to gain leverage over a separate proposal.'
'My vote belongs to Arizona, and I do not trade my vote for political favors — I vote based only on what is best for my state and the country,' she said.
'I have never, and would never, agree to any bargain that would hold one piece of legislation hostage to another.'
Sinema also argued that she worked to deliver the infrastructure bill while also engaging in 'good faith negotiations' on the reconciliation package.
In a statement released on Twitter, Sinema argued that delaying the vote was 'deeply disappointing' and a betrayal of the trust of the American people.
'Good-faith negotiations, however, require trust. Over the course of this year, Democratic leaders have made conflicting promises that could not all be kept — and have, at times, pretended that differences of opinion within our party did not exist, even when those disagreements were repeatedly made clear directly and publicly,' she stated.
'Canceling the infrastructure vote further erodes that trust. More importantly, it betrays the trust the American people have placed in their elected leaders and denies our country crucial investments to expand economic opportunities.'
The video of Sinema being confronted in the bathroom came on the same day that another group of activists confronted Sen. Joe Manchin, of West Virginia — the Democratic party's other key holdout on the legislation.
In a video capturing the exchange, Manchin, aboard his $700,000 yacht named Almost Heaven, assured the West Virginian kayakers that Democrats were working to pass a reasonable bill.
Sen. Joe Manchin, of West Virginia, spoke to protesters from aboard his $700,000 yacht
Protesters kayaked to the ship to ask why their senator would not support his own party's $3.5 trillion infrustructe bill
One protester urged Manchin to vote for the bill while Democrats controlled Congress
'We're working hard, we really are,' Manchin said, looking down at the protesters who paddled up to speak with him 'We want to get a good bill that's a balanced bill, that's well done. And I know it won't be enough for some, it will be too much for others.'
When one of the protesters asked him he raise taxes for the wealthy, Manchin said that it would be a priority.
'That's the number one thing. We should be fixing the tax codes so everyone pays their fare share. We're taxing the rich, I agree. We're going to make the rich and the famous pay.'
Another protester pleaded with Manchin to pass the spending bill, saying that the Republican Party would likely take control of Congress in 2022.
'This is our one chance right now to pass the legislation. They're not going to pass something like this for the people,' the protester said.
Manchin rebuked the statement and said the bill was a work in progress.
He remains committed to slashing the infrastructure bill by more than half as the moderate Democrat continues the feud with his progressive counterparts.
