Despite being one of conservative media’s favorite targets of the moment, Congressional representative-elect Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez’ latest salvo against the political establishment is resonating with people on both sides of the aisle. On Friday, Ocasio-Cortez tweeted out that members of Congress should have to give up their Congressional salaries during future government shutdowns.
“Next time we have a gov shutdown, Congressional salaries should be furloughed as well,” Ocasio-Cortez tweeted. “It’s completely unacceptable that members of Congress can force a government shutdown on partisan lines & then have Congressional salaries exempt from that decision. Have some integrity.”
Next time we have a gov shutdown, Congressional salaries should be furloughed as well.
— Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@AOC) December 22, 2018
It’s completely unacceptable that members of Congress can force a government shutdown on partisan lines & then have Congressional salaries exempt from that decision.
Have some integrity. https://t.co/BgueNNjf0f
Ocasio-Cortez then reminded followers that many members of Congress are either already wealthy or have some sort of financial investments to safeguard their wealth.
“Spoiler alert: most members of Congress are already wealthy!” Ocasio-Cortez tweeted. “Speaking as a working class member-elect, I think it’s only fair. It would also cause members who actually depend on their salary to think twice about leadership and take a shutdown vote more seriously.”
(Spoiler alert: most members of Congress are already wealthy!)
— Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@AOC) December 22, 2018
Speaking as a working class member-elect, I think it’s only fair.
It would also cause members who actually depend on their salary to think twice about leadership and take a shutdown vote more seriously. https://t.co/fSAcPAj0Xf
A partial government closure began midnight on Friday, affecting a quarter of federal workers. Traditionally, Congressional representatives retain their salaries, or at the very minimum are paid at a later date. Some government workers at lower tiers are expected to continue working without assurances that they’ll be paid.
The shutdown has largely been due to a stall in negotiations regarding the $5 billion budget for a wall along the southern U.S. border that President Donald Trump promised in his 2016 campaign. Trump spent the days leading up to the shutdown tweeting incessantly about the subject, saying “the Democrats now own the shutdown!”
President Trump previously said in a press conference with House Minority leader Nancy Pelosi and Senate minority leader Chuck Schumer that he would be “proud” to shut the government down if the bill didn’t include that funding, contradicting himself once again.
Elsewhere on social media, Ocasio-Cortez largely received praise and admiration for her thoughts on Congressional salaries, with even some self-described “Trump loyalists” agreeing with her.
Ocasio-Cortez said lawmakers should lose their salaries too when they shut down the government.
— Deniz S. (@MrFilmkritik) December 22, 2018
She has an unerring ability to reflect the way most of us think. Almost as if she’s being a representative.
I never thought I’d say this, but I agree with AOC 100%. pic.twitter.com/pCTzEjHK2S
— 10g1k (@10g1k1) December 23, 2018
https://twitter.com/harry_girthrod/status/1076672590356328455
Now this is something we agree on @Ocasio2018!!! Well said pic.twitter.com/HppXXJzYhz
— Carl Higbie (@CarlHigbie) December 23, 2018
I may not agree with you politically on everything but I 100% agree here! Integrity for sure!
— Kelli H (@z_LVGinger) December 23, 2018
Finally something I totally agree on! Now stay sensible and don’t fall into the greed trap that has sadly captured most of your colleagues.
— Sam Tarasco (@SamTarasco) December 23, 2018
The shutdown is likely to last at least beyond Christmas. It may even extend into the new year after the new Congress is sworn in, according to Office of Management and Budget Director Mick Mulvaney in a Fox News Sunday interview.
H/T The Hill
