Ted Cruz is one of the more right-wing members of the United States Congress. Newcomer Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez may be the most left-wing members of the house. But still, that doesn’t make it impossible that the duo could agree on something.
On Thursday, the duo both found issue with house members who become lobbyists following their political career. Ocasio-Cortez and Cruz then agreed to partner on a bill that would ban lawmakers from doing so.
The idea for the bill not only came together quickly, it came together over Twitter. AOC began by tweeting, “If you are a member of Congress + leave, you shouldn’t be allowed to turn right around&leverage your service for a lobbyist check. I don’t think it should be legal at ALL to become a corporate lobbyist if you’ve served in Congress.”
If you are a member of Congress + leave, you shouldn’t be allowed to turn right around&leverage your service for a lobbyist check.
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. https://t.co/xMu9Mwmdm6
— Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@AOC) May 30, 2019
To his own surprise, the Texas senator agreed with her. Cruz wrote, “Here’s something I don’t say often: on this point, I AGREE with AOC. Indeed, I have long called for a LIFETIME BAN on former Members of Congress becoming lobbyists. The Swamp would hate it, but perhaps a chance for some bipartisan cooperation?
Here’s something I don’t say often: on this point, I AGREE with @AOC Indeed, I have long called for a LIFETIME BAN on former Members of Congress becoming lobbyists. The Swamp would hate it, but perhaps a chance for some bipartisan cooperation? https://t.co/jPW0xkH2Yy
— Ted Cruz (@tedcruz) May 30, 2019
Following Cruz’s reply, Ocasio-Cortez set forth a number of stipulations. She tweeted to the senator, “Ted Cruz, 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 no partisan snuck-in clauses, no poison pills, etc – just a straight, clean ban on members of Congress becoming paid lobbyists – then I’ll co-lead the bill with you.”
Cruz simply replied, “You’re on.”
You’re on. https://t.co/S3TBfNeO3Q
— Ted Cruz (@tedcruz) May 30, 2019