Rep. Anna Paulina Luna (R-Fla.) is pushing back against a fellow Republican after Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.) mocked Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez’s past work as a bartender.

In a post on X, Luna said that although she frequently disagrees with Ocasio-Cortez politically, criticizing someone for having worked in the service industry misses the mark. She described Kennedy’s comments as “tone deaf,” arguing that many Americans do not come from political families or elite backgrounds but still have every right to pursue public office.

“Plenty of people don’t come from political pedigree,” Luna wrote, adding that hardworking Americans who put themselves through school and build careers outside politics should not be dismissed. Luna, who previously served five years in the Oregon Air National Guard, suggested that Washington itself relies heavily on bartenders and service workers, noting that many lawmakers spend time in bars while appreciating the people who work there.

Kennedy made the remarks earlier in the week during an appearance on Fox News’s “Hannity Special.” In his criticism of Ocasio-Cortez, he compared her to Vice President Kamala Harris, saying she had “more bartending experience.” He also suggested the New York Democrat has not been known as a policy expert.

The Louisiana senator’s comments came after Ocasio-Cortez faced backlash from some conservatives over remarks she delivered at the Munich Security Conference. President Trump was among those who criticized her speech, prompting renewed attacks from Republican figures.

Luna did not limit her criticism to Kennedy’s comments about Ocasio-Cortez’s background. She also urged him to focus his attention on internal GOP matters, specifically calling on him to press Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) to schedule a vote on a Republican-backed voting reform bill. The measure passed the House nearly two weeks ago but has yet to be taken up in the Senate, where McConnell chairs the Rules Committee.

Ocasio-Cortez responded directly to Kennedy’s remarks on Saturday night, also posting on X. She defended her time working as a waitress and bartender, arguing that her experience serving working-class people gives her a stronger understanding of their concerns than that of career politicians. She suggested that her background better equips her to represent everyday Americans.

“Why should working people vote for you if this is what you think of them?” Ocasio-Cortez wrote, questioning Kennedy’s attitude toward service industry workers.

Kennedy, who holds degrees from Vanderbilt University and the University of Virginia School of Law, has served in elected office for more than 30 years. His critics argue that his comments reflect a dismissive tone toward individuals who did not begin their careers in traditional political or legal pathways.

The exchange highlights ongoing tensions within Congress over class, background and political identity. While partisan disagreements between Luna and Ocasio-Cortez are common, Luna’s defense underscores a broader point about respecting diverse professional experiences.

The debate also reflects a recurring theme in American politics: whether nontraditional career paths, including work in service industries, enhance or diminish a candidate’s credibility. For Luna and Ocasio-Cortez, the answer appears clear — working-class roots should not be used as a political punchline.