SECONDNEXUS
percolately
georgetakei
comicsands
George's Reads
On Thursday, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) and Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX) had a Twitter interaction that is giving people hope that perhaps bipartisan cooperation in Washington is not dead.
It all started with this tweet by AOC railing against the practice of former members of Congress turning around and becoming paid lobbyists:
"I don’t think it should be legal at ALL to become a corporate lobbyist if you’ve served in Congress.At minimum there should be a long wait period."
If you are a member of Congress + leave, you shouldn’t be allowed to turn right around&leverage your service for a… https://t.co/3AumZDKyOL— Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez) 1559236316.0
To which Ted Cruz, to the surprise of many, replied that he agreed with AOC's assessment:
Here’s something I don’t say often: on this point, I AGREE with @AOC Indeed, I have long called for a LIFETIME BA… https://t.co/bnoHBYk3NL— Ted Cruz (@Ted Cruz) 1559241288.0
AOC then pitched bipartisan legislation to ban former members of Congress from becoming a lobbyist:
"If you're serious about a clean bill, then I'm down. Let's make a deal."
.@tedcruz if you’re serious about a clean bill, then I’m down. Let’s make a deal. If we can agree on a bill with… https://t.co/nhC6167MH5— Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez) 1559249165.0
And Cruz tweeted back a simple:
"You're on."
You’re on. https://t.co/S3TBfNeO3Q— Ted Cruz (@Ted Cruz) 1559250160.0
Then Democratic Senator Brian Schatz said he was in as well, as did Republican Congressman Chip Roy, after which AOC tweeted:
Okay, with @brianschatz + @tedcruz we’ve got at least one D-R team in the Senate to ban members becoming lobbyists,… https://t.co/iHv4UN4eG1— Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez) 1559255775.0
Nice indeed.
Even Democratic Senator Michael Bennet, who is running for President, weighed in to remind folks that this is an effort he has been championing for a long time, and welcomed this bipartisan progress.
The reason he had trouble getting co-sponsors?
"Because everyone wanted to be lobbyists."
@AOC @brianschatz @tedcruz @chiproytx .@AOC @tedcruz @brianschatz For 10 years, lawmakers wouldn’t sign onto our bi… https://t.co/wTQdDu6ENW— Michael Bennet (@Michael Bennet) 1559267695.0
People were heartened by this transparent display of policy making.
@AOC @brianschatz @tedcruz @chiproytx This is really quite amazing and great.— Barbara (@Barbara) 1559256220.0
@AOC @brianschatz @tedcruz @chiproytx Way. To. GO!!! A massive majority of citizens would enthusiastically support this legislation...— Barry Stablestest Genius Semple (@Barry Stablestest Genius Semple) 1559256408.0
@AOC @brianschatz @tedcruz @chiproytx LETS DO THIS!!! STOP. THE. CONGRESS. TO. LOBBYING. REVOLVING. DOOR.— Ricardo Gutiérrez (@Ricardo Gutiérrez) 1559255848.0
@AOC @brianschatz @tedcruz @chiproytx this is the most productive use of twitter i have ever seen— Liz Plank (@Liz Plank) 1559260045.0
What a concept:
@AOC @brianschatz @tedcruz @chiproytx Public policy in public— Homburger (@Homburger) 1559256051.0
Same, Keith. Same:
@AOC @brianschatz @tedcruz @chiproytx If someone had told me yesterday that Ted Cruz & AOC would be teaming up to f… https://t.co/vpcAzVKFBK— Keith Apland (@Keith Apland) 1559256321.0