Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez is the subject of an official House ethics inquiry.
In a press statement issued on Wednesday, the House Ethics Committee stated that Ocasio-Cortez is under investigation. The committee said that the probe is a result of a June situation involving Ocasio-Cortez.
“The Acting Chairwoman and Acting Ranking Member of the Committee on Ethics have jointly decided to extend the matter regarding Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, which was transmitted to the Committee by the Office of Congressional Ethics on June 23, 2022,” the Democrat-controlled committee announced.
In its statement, the committee did not describe the subject of the probe.
🚨BREAKING: AOC is under a House Ethics Investigation pic.twitter.com/FFHfinqFJm
— Greg Price (@greg_price11) December 7, 2022
The investigation “does not itself indicate that any violation has occurred, or reflect any judgment on behalf of the committee,” according to the official news release.
In a statement provided by her congressional office, Ocasio-Cortez denied any misconduct and claimed that the probe will be dropped.
A spokesperson for the democratic socialists cited her own lobbying and special interest tactics.
“The Congresswoman has always taken ethics incredibly seriously, refusing any donations from lobbyists, corporations, or other special interests,” a representative for the New York Democrat said, according to The Hill.
“We are confident that this matter will be dismissed.”
As of Wednesday afternoon, it appears that AOC has not publicly commented on the news.
The House Ethics Committee has the authority to impose diverse punishments on members of Congress found guilty of ethical infractions.
The committee has the authority to discipline members with reprimand letters, censures, and even to initiate expulsion procedures.