# Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez Cannot Afford to Move to Washington **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Created:** [November 9, 2018, 9:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alexandria-ocasio-cortez-cannot-afford-to-move-to-washington/824263 "2018-11-09T21:47:54Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 8
**Author:** ![Rick\_Kitchen](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rick_kitchen/32/522_2.png) [@Rick\_Kitchen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rick_Kitchen)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2018, 10:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alexandria-ocasio-cortez-cannot-afford-to-move-to-washington/824263/141 "2018-11-12T22:02:16Z")
> [@](#): > > Simplest solution. She bunks up with a sitting Congress-critter. Wouldn’t that be considered a political contribution? ---
**Author:** ![boytyperanma](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/4491bb/32.png) [@boytyperanma](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/boytyperanma)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2018, 10:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alexandria-ocasio-cortez-cannot-afford-to-move-to-washington/824263/142 "2018-11-12T22:17:24Z")
> [@Rick\_Kitchen](#): > > Not really. Members of Congress like Tom McClintock don’t live in their district, so there’s nothing that requires them to maintain households outside of the DC area. The US Constitution requirements to be a congressman are that the person be 25, be a US citizen, have lived in the US for at least 7 years, and be a resident of the state they represent. They do not need to live in the district they represent. They do have to maintain residency in their home state. ---
**Author:** ![Ruken](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/f475e1/32.png) [@Ruken](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ruken)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2018, 10:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alexandria-ocasio-cortez-cannot-afford-to-move-to-washington/824263/143 "2018-11-12T22:30:08Z")
> [@WillFarnaby](#): > > Didn’t say it was, but not being able to swing a few grand for a few months rent does indicate a certain lack of financial stability. Of course you “didn’t say it was”. Instead of coming out and stating your position you wrote something vague and insinuating – something easy to back off from when challenged. So here’s your opportunity to state your position clearly: Do you think Alexandria Occasio-Cortez’ financial situation poses a security concern? You’re then one who brought it up, so let’s see why you think it’s relevant here. > [@WillFarnaby](#): > > Is she choosing not to live in certain DC neigborhoods? Yes. Cite? She said nothing about neighborhoods > [@WillFarnaby](#): > > Unless she is currently on the dole, could she afford a place in DC? Yes. Wrong. There is a vast space between “on the dole” and “able to swing a few grand for a few months rent”. Let us know if you’re having trouble understanding that and we can walk you through the math. Or maybe show us your math (you do have some, don’t you?) so we can fix it for you. ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2018, 10:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alexandria-ocasio-cortez-cannot-afford-to-move-to-washington/824263/144 "2018-11-12T22:40:52Z")
> [@Omniscient](#): > > …I think that offers some interesting benefits, if your mansion-mates are from the other party it might create a more collegial environment where state-centric bipartisanship can blossom. … “Madam Speaker, I rise to enter into the public record the fact that the Honorable Representative from Ohio has not washed a single dish within six weeks, despite numerous pledges to do so…” ---
**Author:** ![Ravenman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ravenman/32/2929_2.png) [@Ravenman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ravenman)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2018, 10:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alexandria-ocasio-cortez-cannot-afford-to-move-to-washington/824263/145 "2018-11-12T22:49:48Z")
> [@Rick\_Kitchen](#): > > Wouldn’t that be considered a political contribution? It would likely be considered a gift, depending on the details, but in this context not likely a political contribution for the purposes the FEC tracks such things. ETA Note that the House gift rules are in most respects very much stricter than laws on campaign contributions. ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2018, 10:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alexandria-ocasio-cortez-cannot-afford-to-move-to-washington/824263/146 "2018-11-12T22:51:37Z")
> [@Rick\_Kitchen](#): > > Wouldn’t that be considered a political contribution? > [@Ravenman](#): > > It would likely be considered a gift, depending on the details, but in this context not likely a political contribution for the purposes the FEC tracks such things. She could split the rent with someone, aka “roommates”. That would surely be legal, no? ---
**Author:** ![BigT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bigt/32/12044_2.png) [@BigT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigT)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2018, 10:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alexandria-ocasio-cortez-cannot-afford-to-move-to-washington/824263/147 "2018-11-12T22:57:04Z")
One thing I would do maintain a residence in a cheaper part of the state. Maybe there’d still need to be a compromise and live near a city, but at least get out of the most expensive areas. ---
**Author:** ![alphaboi867](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alphaboi867/32/3898_2.png) [@alphaboi867](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/alphaboi867)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2018, 11:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alexandria-ocasio-cortez-cannot-afford-to-move-to-washington/824263/148 "2018-11-12T23:09:56Z")
> [@WillFarnaby](#): > > Financially strapped individual with access to levers of power: nothing could possibly go wrong. > > Don’t they look at your financials when applying for a security clearance? Strapped individuals are considered risky in many situations in everyday life. Elected officials don’t have formal security clearances; any information they have access to is by virtue of their office. ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2018, 11:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alexandria-ocasio-cortez-cannot-afford-to-move-to-washington/824263/149 "2018-11-12T23:18:17Z")
> [@BigT](#): > > One thing I would do maintain a residence in a cheaper part of the state. Maybe there’d still need to be a compromise and live near a city, but at least get out of the most expensive areas. She’s been elected to represent[New York State’s 14th congressional district](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_York%27s_14th_congressional_district); her district consists of portions of Queens and The Bronx. I think (though I am not certain) that there are laws which require Representatives to actually be residents of the districts that they serve. If so, there’s not much way for her to “live in a cheaper part of the state,” and still have a residence in the district. ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2018, 11:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alexandria-ocasio-cortez-cannot-afford-to-move-to-washington/824263/150 "2018-11-12T23:24:34Z")
And even if there’s not a law that you have to live in the district you represent (I suspect that any such law would be Constitutionally dubious), it’d be politically advisable that you do so. ---
**Author:** ![hajario](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hajario/32/171_2.png) [@hajario](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hajario)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2018, 11:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alexandria-ocasio-cortez-cannot-afford-to-move-to-washington/824263/151 "2018-11-12T23:26:56Z")
> [@Rick\_Kitchen](#): > > Not really. Members of Congress like Tom McClintock don’t live in their district, so there’s nothing that requires them to maintain households outside of the DC area. Yes, he didn’t move when the district lines were changed. He does have to live in California though. ---
**Author:** ![Not\_Carlson](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/bc79bd/32.png) [@Not\_Carlson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Not_Carlson)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2018, 11:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alexandria-ocasio-cortez-cannot-afford-to-move-to-washington/824263/152 "2018-11-12T23:40:40Z")
> [@WillFarnaby](#): > > Financially strapped individual with access to levers of power: nothing could possibly go wrong. > > Don’t they look at your financials when applying for a security clearance? Strapped individuals are considered risky in many situations in everyday life. If there is anyone at all out there reading this who finds themselves thinking “yeah, that makes sense,” please exercise just a modicum of critical thinking. This poster is effectively suggesting that anyone from the same walk of life as Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez cannot be trusted. Does that sound like an honest or reasonable argument? No. It’s not. ---
**Author:** ![Melbourne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b5e925/32.png) [@Melbourne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Melbourne)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2018, 12:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alexandria-ocasio-cortez-cannot-afford-to-move-to-washington/824263/153 "2018-11-13T00:20:16Z")
Congressmen used to take the sleeper late from from NYC, early into DC. Just out of interest. Doubt it even exists anymore. ---
**Author:** ![JRDelirious](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jrdelirious/32/9531_2.png) [@JRDelirious](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JRDelirious)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2018, 1:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alexandria-ocasio-cortez-cannot-afford-to-move-to-washington/824263/154 "2018-11-13T01:25:52Z")
BTW let’s just remind ourselves that she _ **did** _ state that this particular matter _ **is** _ being handled. Even people with the resources to manage a situation will sometimes go _“Yikes! THAT much?!?! How does someone without money do it?”_ at first. As to people who scorn those who are not already economically comfortable, and consider everyone who seems to not be in it for the money a liar and a hypocrite, well, they’ll just keep at that no matter what. ---
**Author:** ![Rick\_Kitchen](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rick_kitchen/32/522_2.png) [@Rick\_Kitchen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rick_Kitchen)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2018, 3:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alexandria-ocasio-cortez-cannot-afford-to-move-to-washington/824263/155 "2018-11-13T03:20:09Z")
> [@kenobi\_65](#): > > She’s been elected to represent[New York State’s 14th congressional district](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_York%27s_14th_congressional_district); her district consists of portions of Queens and The Bronx. > > I think (though I am not certain) that there are laws which require Representatives to actually be residents of the districts that they serve. If so, there’s not much way for her to “live in a cheaper part of the state,” and still have a residence in the district. It probably depends on the state, doesn’t occur in California, as I pointed out earlier about Tom McClintock. ---
**Author:** ![Ravenman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ravenman/32/2929_2.png) [@Ravenman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ravenman)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2018, 7:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alexandria-ocasio-cortez-cannot-afford-to-move-to-washington/824263/156 "2018-11-13T07:19:38Z")
> [@John\_Mace](#): > > She could split the rent with someone, aka “roommates”. That would surely be legal, no? After the edit window, I found that members of Congress are allowed to give each other gifts without violating the rules. So if she pays fair market value, she can split with anyone she wants (theoretically including a lobbyist, but someone with half a brain in their heads won’t rent an apartment from a lobbyist even at FMV). If she splits an apartment with another member of Congress, she doesn’t have to pay FMV, or anything at all, as far as I can tell. Paying below FMV while sharing with a congressman would be a gift, but not a political contribution. ---
**Author:** ![WillFarnaby](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/willfarnaby/32/514_2.png) [@WillFarnaby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WillFarnaby)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2018, 10:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alexandria-ocasio-cortez-cannot-afford-to-move-to-washington/824263/157 "2018-11-13T10:54:23Z")
> [@Not\_Carlson](#): > > If there is anyone at all out there reading this who finds themselves thinking “yeah, that makes sense,” please exercise just a modicum of critical thinking. > This poster is effectively suggesting that anyone from the same walk of life as Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez cannot be trusted. > > Does that sound like an honest or reasonable argument? > No. It’s not. No. It’s not. I didn’t make it. > [@alphaboi867](#): > > Elected officials don’t have formal security clearances; any information they have access to is by virtue of their office. I brought up clearances to demonstrate that institutions consider financial instability as a sign of potential untrustworthiness. It is relevant because desperate people do desperate things. There is nothing new here to anyone with a cursory understanding of human nature or public choice insights. > [@Ruken](#): > > Of course you “didn’t say it was”. Instead of coming out and stating your position you wrote something vague and insinuating – something easy to back off from when challenged. So here’s your opportunity to state your position clearly: Do you think Alexandria Occasio-Cortez’ financial situation poses a security concern? You’re then one who brought it up, so let’s see why you think it’s relevant here. Above. > [@](#): > > Cite? She said nothing about neighborhoods Individuals demonstrate preference through actions. Her actions indicate her preference to not live in cheap DC neighborhoods. > [@](#): > > Wrong. There is a vast space between “on the dole” and “able to swing a few grand for a few months rent”. Let us know if you’re having trouble understanding that and we can walk you through the math. Or maybe show us your math (you do have some, don’t you?) so we can fix it for you. There are, what 4 months at most until she gets on the congressional dole. You could get a cheap room in DC for $500/mo and that is without plumbing the depths of the black market for a spot in which case I could prob find you someone willing to take $300-400. That’s $2k. She can’t swing that? She has no business near the taxpayer loot. My personal conjecture is that she could swing it, but chooses to not live in the neighborhoods I’m talking about. > [@Ravenman](#): > > This post shows that you know nothing of what you are writing. What, in your world, does a security clearance have to do with anything we are talking about? Above. ---
**Author:** ![WillFarnaby](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/willfarnaby/32/514_2.png) [@WillFarnaby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WillFarnaby)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2018, 11:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alexandria-ocasio-cortez-cannot-afford-to-move-to-washington/824263/158 "2018-11-13T11:02:52Z")
She probably shares the PJ Harvey view of these neighborhoods: [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/qsLqsqbObyg/maxresdefault.jpg "PJ Harvey - The Community Of Hope") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qsLqsqbObyg) A visual and auditory romp through liberal misunderstanding. ---
**Author:** ![madmonk28](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/madmonk28/32/20811_2.png) [@madmonk28](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/madmonk28)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2018, 11:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alexandria-ocasio-cortez-cannot-afford-to-move-to-washington/824263/159 "2018-11-13T11:14:03Z")
> [@WillFarnaby](#): > > She probably shares the PJ Harvey view of these neighborhoods: > > [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qsLqsqbObyg&app=desktop](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qsLqsqbObyg&app=desktop) > > A visual and auditory romp through liberal misunderstanding. As I said back in post #88, all of this discussion springs from one short paragraph in a longer story about her. That paragraph reads: > [@](#): > > Ms. Ocasio-Cortez said the transition period will be “very unusual, because I can’t really take a salary. I have three months without a salary before I’m a member of Congress. So, how do I get an apartment? Those little things are very real.” She said she saved money before leaving her job at the restaurant, and planned accordingly with her partner. “We’re kind of just dealing with the logistics of it day by day, but I’ve really been just kind of squirreling away and then hoping that gets me to January.” All the rest of this hostility you have towards her on this issue is your own baggage. You are projecting on her motives and opinions that are not in evidence from her words. They have no basis in that short paragraph posted above, but apparently spring from some other source of hostility for Ms. Ocasio-Cortez. ---
**Author:** ![WillFarnaby](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/willfarnaby/32/514_2.png) [@WillFarnaby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WillFarnaby)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2018, 12:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alexandria-ocasio-cortez-cannot-afford-to-move-to-washington/824263/160 "2018-11-13T12:42:00Z")
I am also drawing conclusions based on her demonstrated preference. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alexandria-ocasio-cortez-cannot-afford-to-move-to-washington/824263.md?page=7) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alexandria-ocasio-cortez-cannot-afford-to-move-to-washington/824263.md?page=9)