Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY), popularly known as “AOC,” is under investigation by the House Ethics Committee.
In a statement released by Acting Chairwoman Susan Wild (D-PA) and Acting Ranking Member Michael Guest (R-MS), the committee had received a referral from the Office of Congressional Ethics—a separate office that reviews misconduct allegations—on June 23.
The House committee did not indicate why AOC was under investigation, saying only, “The mere fact of a referral or an extension, and the mandatory disclosure of such an extension and the name of the subject of the matter, does not itself indicate that any violation has occurred, or reflect any judgment on behalf of the committee.”
AOC’s spokesperson said in a statement to Business Insider, “The congresswoman has always taken ethics incredibly seriously, refusing any donations from lobbyists, corporations, or other special interests. We are confident that this matter will be dismissed.”
The House committee did say it would “announce its course of action in this matter” next year, after the 118th Congress had convened.
Majority control of the House will pass from Democratic to Republican hands with the new Congress on January 3, at which point so will committee chairmanships.