Portrait of Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez
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Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez on Amazon Prime

Opposes corporate subsidies (strong)

Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez's stance on Amazon is overwhelmingly defined by her vocal and successful opposition to the proposed Amazon HQ2 headquarters project in Long Island City, Queens, which involved significant public subsidies.

She opposed the nearly $3 billion in tax incentives the company was set to receive, arguing that New York City should instead invest that money into its own district for needs like teachers and subways. Ocasio-Cortez framed the subsequent cancellation of the HQ2 project as a major victory for everyday citizens over corporate power and the interests of the ultra-wealthy.

While direct comments on the Amazon Prime service specifically are not detailed, her broader position on Amazon is highly critical of its use of corporate political influence and its pursuit of public funding. She maintained that the potential 25,000 jobs offered by Amazon did not guarantee benefits for current New Yorkers and that the deal prioritized the company over community needs.

Context

Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez's focus on the Amazon HQ2 deal is highly relevant to her political platform, which staunchly opposes corporate welfare and large-scale tax breaks for wealthy corporations.

Her opposition aligns with her broader economic policy, which advocates for using public funds to invest directly in community needs like education, infrastructure, and wages, rather than subsidizing private company growth. Amazon Prime is a consumer-facing service of the larger corporation she views as excessively powerful and fiscally irresponsible in its pursuit of tax avoidance.

Actions Taken

  1. Political Opposition
    Opposed the planned deal where New York City would give Amazon.com $3 billion in state and city subsidies and tax breaks for building HQ2.
  2. Public Statement
    Stated that if the $3 billion subsidy were available, the city could have invested it in the district for schools or subways instead.
  3. Public Statement
    Celebrated Amazon ceasing construction of the HQ2 project after the company reversed its decision due to political backlash.
  4. Social Media
    Tweeted that Amazon was coming to NYC anyway, but without requiring public financing for corporate giveaways like a helipad for Jeff Bezos.

Key Quotes

Won't you look at that: Amazon is coming to NYC anyway – without requiring the public to finance shady deals, helipad handouts for Jeff Bezos, & corporate giveaways

Twitter December 7, 2019 — Commenting on Amazon opening new corporate offices in NYC after cancelling the HQ2 plan.

If we were willing to give away away $3 billion for this deal, we could invest $3 billion in our district ourselves if we want to. We could hire more teachers, we can fix our subways, we can put a lot of people to work for that money if we wanted to.

Press availability February 14, 2019 — Stating alternatives to the Amazon HQ2 subsidy deal.

I think it's incredible. I mean, it shows that everyday Americans still have the power to organize and fight for their communities and they can have more say in this country than the richest man in the world.

Interview February 14, 2019 — Reacting to Amazon cancelling its HQ2 plans in New York.

Related Positions

  • Green New Deal The Green New Deal framework supports progressive funding mechanisms, like higher taxes on the wealthy, which contrast with the corporate tax breaks Ocasio-Cortez fought against with Amazon.
  • Postal Banking Pilot Programs Her support for public banking and postal banking shows a preference for publicly funded services over private sector entities like Amazon.

Criticism

Marc Laffer

Argued that Ocasio-Cortez's actions revealed an 'ignorance on Amazon HQ2 deal' and that New York's high taxes, not her opposition, was the real deterrent to business.

Conservative columnist Marc Thiessen

Claimed that by helping drive Amazon away, she cost New York an estimated $27 billion in tax revenue, calling her economic view 'dangerous.'