AOC ‘shocked’ by D.C. cash splash

Controversial freshman Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez was “shocked” to learn Washington lobbyists throw money around to buy influence.

“Today I left a hearing on homelessness & saw tons of people camped outside committee. I turned to my staff and asked if it was a demonstration,” she tweeted.

Much to her surprise, Ocasio-Cortez (D-Bronx, Queens) was informed nonelected officials gain access to hearings by paying poor people to hold their place in line.

“Lobbyists pay the homeless + others to hold their place so they can get in 1st,” she was told.

The neophyte politician started her rant by saying “Shock doesn’t begin to cover it.”

Ocasio-Cortez (photo) bemoaned the idea that the first people in line — or the VIPs those people are holding spaces for — are guaranteed a seat at hearings. “Apparently this is a normal practice, and people don’t bat an eye,” she marveled. If anyone is going to bring attention to the way D.C. operates, it just might be OcasioCortez. An Axios report released this week found that AOC, as she’s nicknamed, “attracted more media attention this year than any Democrat running for President.” After serving only a month in office, her combined social media and conventional media coverage was topped only by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, who took office two years before Ocasio-Cortez was born. “Bringing BX to DC!” AOC tweeted after her anti-lobbyist screed.