New York Democrat Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez is the subject of an inquiry by the House Committee on Ethics. The Washington Examiner reports that the nonpartisan Office of Congressional Ethics quietly announced the investigation on June 23.
The inquiry has been expanded in advance of the 118th Congress’s inauguration in January. As a result, the committee won’t make a statement about its plans until after the new year, when Republicans will have retaken the majority. The panel stated, “The Committee notes that the mere fact of a referral or an extension, and the mandatory disclosure of such an extension and the name of the subject of the matter, does not itself indicate that any violation has occurred, or reflect any judgment on behalf of the Committee.”
A representative for Ocasio-Cortez was confident the matter would be dismissed, explaining, “The Congresswoman has always taken ethics incredibly seriously, refusing any donations from lobbyists, corporations or other special interests.”
An ethics watchdog called for an investigation of Ocasio-Cortez after last year’s Met Gala, where she made headlines for wearing a dress featuring the phrase “Tax the Rich.” House Rule 25 places limitations on the kinds of gifts that members of Congress may accept, according to the watchdog group, Foundation for Accountability and Civic Trust (FACT). Additionally, the organization called on the House Committee on Ethics to look into outgoing New York Representative Carolyn Maloney, who also attended the Gala.
FACT highlighted that Ocasio-Cortez received tickets worth approximately $35,000 each, given as gifts, and the congresswoman’s claim that she “borrowed” designer clothing to attend. FACT Executive Director Kendra Arnold stated, “The gift rule for Members of Congress is very clear and is in place for good reason. Members simply cannot accept anything of value that isn’t on the short list of permitted items. This is a bedrock ethics rule and it serves several important purposes.”
