Staff Reports
The Foundation for Accountability and Civic Trust (FACT) is dropping the hammer on Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) for allegedly using House proceedings videos to boost her own campaign. According to FACT’s report, Ocasio-Cortez’s campaign social media account shared videos of her speaking on the House floor not once, not twice, but FOUR times. Didn’t anyone tell her not to play with taxpayer-funded toys?
Ethics watchdog (@factdc) calls for investigation into @RepAOC using House video for campaign https://t.co/9vp8KWZMq5 https://t.co/9vp8KWZMq5
— Washington Examiner (@dcexaminer) April 17, 2024
Kendra Arnold, the executive director of FACT, didn’t hold back, stating that the law is crystal clear about using official resources (aka stuff paid for by hardworking Americans) for personal political use. She also emphasized that this kind of shenanigans not only abuses taxpayer dollars but also tarnishes the integrity of official House proceedings. Someone’s been caught with their hand in the cookie jar, and it’s not looking good!
The House rules are as clear as day when it comes to this sort of thing. Members are strictly forbidden from turning House floor and committee proceeding videos into campaign materials. Ocasio-Cortez’s personal account allegedly retweeted a post featuring her questioning Michael Cohen during a 2019 hearing, and then she had the audacity to announce her reelection bid a few days later. And as if that wasn’t enough, she retweeted more clips of House proceedings on two separate occasions. The nerve!
Like a dog with a bone, FACT’s executive director Arnold made sure to point out that using an elected position for political gain shouldn’t fly. Ocasio-Cortez isn’t new to this rodeo, according to Arnold, and the Office of Congressional Ethics better saddle up and take swift action.
Of course, when asked for comment, Ocasio-Cortez’s office conveniently remained mum. Maybe they’re too busy trying to cover their tracks! Well folks, there’s never a dull moment in the political circus, and it looks like the ringmaster herself might have some explaining to do.
