Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez said Wednesday that Republicans fearful of casting a vote to impeach President Donald Trump are privileged to not face more regular threats for their work on Capitol Hill.

House Democrats have signaled in recent days that their Republican colleagues are fearful that a vote to impeach the president might incur threats against themselves and their families. Ocasio-Cortez, a progressive and one of the most high-profile lawmakers on Capitol Hill, has said that death threats are “a normal part of [her] existence.”

“I get it, but some of us just spent the last 2 years taking stances that have led to repeated attempts on our lives - for demanding guaranteed healthcare, immigrant justice, etc,” Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) wrote in a tweet Wednesday afternoon, reacting to reports of trepidation within the GOP caucus. “Sorry if this lacks empathy, but it’s a privilege if this is their first time. They can do one vote.”

“Many of them rode the wave of this violent rhetoric, or at the very least sat idly by it. Now is our chance to stop it,” Ocasio-Cortez continued in a second post. “This is what we are sent to Congress to do - the tough stuff. All the easy choices are taken. If any GOP need advice on how to deal with it, they can call me.”

The House is set to impeach President Donald Trump Wednesday afternoon for for “willful incitement of insurrection" after pro-Trump rioters violently stormed the Capitol last week. Trump had addressed many of the rioters earlier that day, imploring them to march to the Capitol and "show strength."

Some Republicans in the House have voiced support for impeachment, including House Republican Conference Chair Liz Cheney (R-Wyo.). But House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy and Minority Whip Steve Scalise are both against impeaching Trump. House Freedom Caucus Member Jim Jordan called for Cheney's removal from leadership due to her impeachment stance.

Ocasio-Cortez was been joined by other Democrats in her sentiments Wednesday.

“Welcome to the club,” Rep. Jason Crow (D-Colo.) said on MSNBC Wednesday morning, addressing fears he said he'd enountered among his GOP colleagues. “That’s leadership. Our country is in a challenging time. Many of us have felt that way for a long time because we’ve stood up for our democracy and we expect them to do the same.

Crow said that while he was not unsympathetic, he had many conversations with Republican lawmakers Tuesday night, including “a couple” with those who he said broke down in tears in fear of their lives if they voted to impeach Trump. He said a majority of GOP lawmakers are “paralyzed with fear.”

Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-Calif.), a House impeachment manager, said on MSNBC Wednesday morning that he had also heard Republicans fearful for their safety, but said that the fear only “enables” Trump.

“It inspires his supporters to believe they can do this again,” Swalwell said. “You just have to stand up to the bully who incited this attack. I understand the fear, but I don’t think the fear should guide any decision-making.”

WASHINGTON — President Trump’s impeachment trial won’t be heard in the Senate until after he has already left office and Joe Biden is president, a spokesman for Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell confirmed Tuesday, delivering a fatal blow to Democrats. The House of Representatives will vote later Tuesday on an article of impeachment accusing Trump...

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi on Wednesday morning thanked National Guard troops protecting the Capitol one week after supporters of President Donald Trump rioted inside the building in an attempt to block Congressional certification of the 2020 presidential election results.

Pelosi's deputy chief of staff Drew Hammill shared a photo of the speaker addressing dozens of troops near the Capitol’s East Front steps where scores of rioters converged on Jan. 6. A spokesperson for Pelosi (D-Calif.) said the speaker thanked the troops and their families "for protecting the Capitol and our democracy."

"Even during this dark time in the history of America, we find reasons for hope. It was my privilege today to personally thank members of the National Guard who are working protect our nation’s Capitol," Pelosi wrote on Twitter. "Thank you for your commitment to our American democracy."

Thousands of Guardsmen have been deployed to protect the Capitol against further violent protests ahead of President-elect Joe Biden’s inauguration next week. The Pentagon on Tuesday approved arming troops responsible for security around the complex with lethal weapons, a decision that came after demands from Congressional leaders, including Pelosi.

As many as 15,000 Guardsmen are expected to be deployed to the Washington area.

Rep. Brian Mast (R-Fla.), a veteran who suffered injuries in the U.S. Army during the Iraq war, was pictured on Wednesday giving a tour of the Capitol Rotunda to a number of Guardsmen after witnessing them sleeping in the Capitol Visitor Center.