Jonah Patel
In 2019, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (AOC) sparked a debate on Twitter about the 22nd Amendment to the US Constitution, which limits presidents to two terms. She claimed that the amendment was introduced to prevent Franklin D. Roosevelt (FDR) from being re-elected for a fourth term. While AOC's phrasing suggested a causal relationship between FDR's re-elections and the amendment, FDR died in 1945, and the 22nd Amendment was passed in 1947 and ratified in 1951. However, some commenters pointed out that FDR's repeated re-elections during the 1930s and 1940s were a catalyst for the amendment, with calls for term limits intensifying before FDR's death. AOC has also sponsored amendments in the 118th Congress (2023-2024) related to oil and gas leasing and emissions.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Speaker | Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez |
| Date | 29 March 2019 |
| Topic | The 22nd Amendment |
| Context | Roosevelt's four terms in office |
| Claim | The Constitution was amended to prevent Roosevelt's re-election |
| Fact | Roosevelt died in 1945, two years before the amendment was passed and six years before it was ratified |
| AOC's Response | The catalyst for the amendment was Roosevelt's repeated re-elections |
| AOC Amendments | H.Amdt.42, H.Amdt.43, H.Amdt.44 |
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What You'll Learn
AOC's comments on FDR's fourth re-election
In March 2019, U.S. Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez made comments about Franklin D. Roosevelt's fourth re-election during an appearance on MSNBC. Ocasio-Cortez stated that "they had to amend the Constitution of the United States to make sure Roosevelt did not get re-elected". She was referring to the 22nd Amendment, which limits the President to two terms and was passed in 1947, two years after Roosevelt's death.
Ocasio-Cortez's comments sparked criticism from some who interpreted her statement as claiming that the 22nd Amendment was introduced to prevent Roosevelt's fourth re-election. This interpretation was seen as incorrect, as the amendment was ratified and came into force six years after Roosevelt's death in 1945. However, Ocasio-Cortez's spokesperson clarified that her intended meaning was to highlight that Roosevelt's repeated re-elections during the 1930s and 1940s were a catalyst for the two-term limit enshrined in the 22nd Amendment.
Indeed, calls for a constitutional amendment to limit presidential terms had intensified even before Roosevelt's second re-election in 1940. In 1943, Roosevelt's Republican opponent, Thomas Dewey, supported a two-term limit, stating that a potential 16-year term was a "threat to democracy". The legislative process for the 22nd Amendment began in 1944, but it was not ratified until 1951, six years after Roosevelt's death.
Ocasio-Cortez's comments highlight the impact of Roosevelt's extended tenure on the development of the 22nd Amendment. While the amendment was not in place to prevent Roosevelt's fourth re-election, his unprecedented four terms influenced the push for term limits to prevent such a lengthy presidency in the future.
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The 22nd Amendment
According to Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, also known as AOC, the 22nd Amendment was passed to prevent Roosevelt from being re-elected for a fourth term. In a TV interview with MSNBC, she stated:
> They had to amend the Constitution of the United States to make sure Roosevelt did not get re-elected.
AOC's comments sparked a debate on Twitter, with some users accusing her of misinterpreting the facts. However, others defended her statement, arguing that Roosevelt's monopoly on the White House sparked the initial discussions about the 22nd Amendment.
AOC's spokesperson later clarified her remarks, stating that her intention was to highlight how Roosevelt's repeated re-elections during the 1930s and 1940s catalysed the push for a two-term limit. This is supported by historical records, which show that calls for a constitutional amendment to limit presidential terms intensified before Roosevelt's second re-election in 1940.
AOC has also sponsored and supported several amendments in the 118th Congress (2023-2024), including amendments to limit oil and gas leasing and production to align with the Paris Climate Accords and reduce carbon emissions.
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The Green New Deal
In defence of the deal, Ocasio-Cortez has pointed to the New Deal of the 1930s and 1940s as an example of the Democratic Party's boldness in addressing the issues of the time. She has argued that the popularity of Franklin D. Roosevelt and his New Deal policies led to the 22nd Amendment, which limits presidents to two terms. While Ocasio-Cortez's interpretation of the historical record has been criticised, the impetus for the 22nd Amendment was indeed Roosevelt's unprecedented four terms in office.
Ocasio-Cortez's comments on the New Deal and the 22nd Amendment are part of a broader conversation about the role of government and the Constitution in addressing societal issues. The Green New Deal reflects a modern interpretation of this role, with Ocasio-Cortez and other supporters advocating for government intervention to address climate change and create a more equitable society.
Furthermore, the Green New Deal demonstrates Ocasio-Cortez's commitment to addressing climate change and creating a more sustainable future. Her proposed amendments to limit oil and gas leasing and reduce carbon emissions reflect this focus on environmental protection. By connecting the Green New Deal to the legacy of the original New Deal, Ocasio-Cortez emphasises the importance of bold government action in addressing pressing societal issues, including climate change.
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AOC's response to critics
In 2019, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (AOC) faced criticism for her comments on amending the US Constitution to prevent Franklin D. Roosevelt (FDR) from being re-elected. While speaking on MSNBC, AOC stated that during the Democratic golden age of the 1930s and 1940s, the party had super majorities in the House and the Senate, and "they had to amend the Constitution of the United States to make sure Roosevelt did not get re-elected."
AOC's comments sparked a debate on Twitter, with some users accusing her of fiddling with the facts around the 22nd Amendment and FDR's fourth term. However, AOC's supporters defended her statement, arguing that while FDR did die in office in 1945, and the 22nd Amendment was ratified in 1951, the process to amend the Constitution began earlier. They pointed out that calls for a presidential term-limit amendment started as early as 1788 and gained momentum due to Roosevelt's extended time in office.
In response to her critics, AOC clarified that her comments were intended to highlight how FDR's repeated re-elections during the 1930s and 1940s catalyzed the push for a two-term limit. She emphasized that the 22nd Amendment was not introduced to prevent FDR's fourth re-election but rather to address concerns about unlimited presidential terms. AOC directed her critics to sources such as the National Constitution Center and Newsweek, which supported her interpretation of the history of the 22nd Amendment.
AOC's spokesperson also provided context to her remarks, explaining that her phrasing indicated a causal relationship between FDR's popularity and the amendment process. They stated that AOC's point was that FDR's unprecedented power and popularity prompted discussions about amending the Constitution to limit presidential terms. Additionally, AOC's supporters pointed out that Republican opponent Thomas Dewey had also called for term limits during the 1944 election, further validating AOC's argument.
While AOC faced criticism from some commentators, others defended her interpretation of historical events. The debate surrounding AOC's comments shed light on the complexities of the 22nd Amendment's history and the ongoing discussions about presidential term limits in the United States.
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The National Constitution Center's clarification
The National Constitution Center, a nonpartisan organization, offered clarification on the 22nd Amendment and the statements made by Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (AOC).
AOC stated that "they had to amend the Constitution of the United States to make sure Roosevelt did not get re-elected," referring to Franklin D. Roosevelt's unprecedented four terms in office. This statement sparked debate and criticism, with some interpreting it as a claim that the 22nd Amendment was passed to prevent FDR's fourth re-election.
However, the National Constitution Center provided context by explaining that discussions about presidential term limits and amendments had been ongoing for many years, with the first proposal submitted to Congress in 1788. The impetus for the 22nd Amendment specifically was Roosevelt's extended time in office, and his Republican opponent, Thomas Dewey, supported such an amendment during the 1944 election.
While the amendment was passed by a Republican-controlled Congress in 1947, two years after Roosevelt's death, it was not ratified until 1951, six years after his death. AOC's spokesperson clarified that her statement intended to highlight FDR's repeated re-elections as the catalyst for efforts to impose a two-term limit, which had been a growing sentiment even before his second re-election in 1940.
AOC's comments shed light on a significant moment in American political history, where the balance of power and the nation's democratic ideals were at the forefront of debate. The National Constitution Center's clarification underscores the importance of understanding the historical context and nuances behind constitutional amendments.
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Frequently asked questions
Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez said, "They had to amend the Constitution of the United States to make sure Roosevelt did not get re-elected." She was referring to the 22nd Amendment, which limits the number of terms a president can serve.
Some people accused AOC of getting her history wrong because Roosevelt died in 1945, and the 22nd Amendment was passed in 1947 and ratified in 1951. However, others pointed out that the process of amending the Constitution to prevent FDR from being re-elected did begin before his death.
The 22nd Amendment limits the President to two terms in office.
The amendment was introduced because of concerns about Roosevelt's extended time in office. He won an unprecedented four terms, and his Republican opponents argued that this was a threat to democracy.
Yes, in 2023, AOC proposed three amendments to limit oil and gas leasing and production to help address climate change. However, all three amendments failed to pass.
