Fellow Americans, I bring you news of grave concern. The House Office of Congressional Ethics has found that Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, the Democratic representative from New York, may have violated federal law by accepting “impermissible gifts” linked to her attendance at the 2021 Met Gala. This is an event where the wealthiest and most privileged members of society come together to flaunt their riches and influence, and AOC was there, dressed in a gown that said “Tax the Rich” on the back. The irony is palpable.
AOC’s ‘Tax the Rich’ Met Gala appearance likely violated law: ethics panel https://t.co/yGD6RZScap pic.twitter.com/BQ9UNq2wlC
— New York Post (@nypost) March 2, 2023
According to the Washington Examiner, “The nonpartisan watchdog’s board recommended in June 2022 that the House review the allegations against Ocasio-Cortez.” The House Ethics Committee has been investigating her since December, but at the time, they did not disclose the subject of their inquiry. It was only later revealed that the review had to do with her attendance at the Met Gala.
The Office of Congressional Ethics found that if AOC “accepted impermissible gifts, then she may have violated House rules, standards of conduct, and federal law.” She rented the dress for the occasion, as well as accessories and hair and makeup services, but apparently did not pay for them until after the formal review had been initiated against her. This is unacceptable.
A spokesperson for AOC, Lauren Hilt, denied any wrongdoing and said that they are confident the lawmaker did not violate House rules. However, the Office of Congressional Ethics concluded that there were delays in paying vendors for costs associated with the Congresswoman’s attendance at the Met Gala. The Congresswoman finds these delays unacceptable and has taken several steps to ensure that nothing of this nature will happen again.
“While regrettable, these delayed payments definitively do not rise to the level of a violation of House Rules. Even after OCE’s exhaustive review of the Congresswoman’s personal communications, there is no record of the Congresswoman refusing to pay for these expenses,” Hilt said.
It is worth noting that AOC reportedly attended the event as a guest of the Metropolitan Museum of Art and did not keep the dress. However, some watchdogs have accused her of violating House rules by improperly accepting other gifts.
It is important to hold our elected officials accountable for their actions. AOC may be a rising star in the Democratic party, but that does not mean she is above the law. As conservatives, we believe in personal responsibility and following the rules. We cannot allow politicians to flout the law and get away with it. Let us hope that the House Ethics Committee will make the right decision in this matter.
Sources: ConservativeBrief, Washington Examiner