Ocasio-Cortez says ‘gotta run’ when asked about shutdown pay
By
Nikki Schwab
January 3, 2019 | 7:12pm |
Updated
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Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez AFP/Getty Images
WASHINGTON – Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez still won’t say whether she’s
giving up her salary during the partial government shutdown —
a move she previously advocated for all lawmakers.
“I’ve gotta run!” Ocasio-Cortez told The Post when asked the question Thursday on Capitol Hill.
She then scampered down a crowded hallway to get in line for her mock swearing-in with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi.
Among Ocasio-Cortez’s group was her partner, Riley Roberts. “A really incredible day, really special,” he told The Post, adding that he liked Washington thus far. “It’s great.”
Ocasio-Cortez attracted hordes of reporters and photographers on her first day as a member of Congress but stayed tight-lipped throughout the day.
That’s in contrast to her social media presence, where she cooks Instant Pot meals and talks policy with her supporters. Or blasts members of Congress for taking paychecks during the ongoing government shutdown.
“It’s completely unacceptable that members of Congress can force a government shutdown on partisan lines & then have Congressional salaries exempt from that decision,” Ocasio-Cortez said on Dec. 22, the first morning of the shutdown. “Have some integrity.”
Members of Congress earn $174,000 a year.