New York City Democratic Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, 36, has shared her decision to begin freezing her eggs, detailing the process and her personal reflections in a social media post.
In a video posted to her Instagram stories on Saturday, Ocasio-Cortez filmed herself administering fertility injections as part of the egg-freezing process. She has been in a relationship with her fiancé, Riley Roberts, for over a decade and they have been engaged since 2022.
"This is just not something that men deal with," Ocasio-Cortez stated, addressing the camera. "Men run for office, or frankly, they interview for jobs and people don't think in the back of their mind, 'Ok this guy's running for office, how old is he? Oh, well is he gonna wanna start a family?'"
She described the decision as a way to "feel more in control of my life." The congresswoman, who was sworn into office at age 29, shared the experience with her followers, emphasizing that "women can do anything." She also noted her intention to administer the shots in a green room before an appearance on ABC's "This Week."
Ocasio-Cortez's personal decision comes as she navigates her political career and potential future aspirations. Despite persistent speculation about a run for higher office, she has not ruled out the possibility.
During her appearance on ABC's "This Week," Ocasio-Cortez stated, "I'm focused on winning the midterms. I'm running for Congress right now." When pressed about a potential presidential run, she acknowledged, "I haven't ruled out the possibility, and I'm very humbled to the tremendous amount of support out there."
She also indicated that "anything is possible" when asked about challenging Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer for his seat in 2028. In a prior interview with POLITICO, she had responded to questions about a presidential campaign by stating, "I mean, I can't say that I've ruled it out."
Speaking at the University of Chicago Institute of Politics in May, Ocasio-Cortez addressed inquiries about running for higher office in 2028. She told David Axelrod that some perceive her ambition as solely positional, seeking a title or seat. "My ambition is way bigger than that. My ambition is to change this country," she stated.
She outlined a vision for policy changes, including single-payer healthcare, a living wage, and workers' and women's rights, asserting these are "forever" goals. Ocasio-Cortez added that not being fixated on specific roles allows for greater flexibility. "When you haven't been like fantasizing about being this or that since the time you were seven years old, it is tremendously liberating," she said. "Because I get to wake up every day and say, 'How am I going to meet the moment?'"
While having children while serving in Congress is becoming more common, it remains rare. Republican Representatives Anna Paulina Luna and Kat Cammack have both had children during their terms. Cammack became the 15th congresswoman in U.S. history to give birth while serving. Democratic Representative LaMonica McIver of New Jersey is currently pregnant with her second child.
