Selfie time! Alexandra Ocasio-Cortez turns her first session in the House into a photo shoot – Daily Mail

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Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez was sworn in as a congresswoman by the Speaker she has pledged to rebel against after a day of selfies on the floor of the House of Representatives.

The socialist hugged Nancy Pelosi at a ceremonial swearing-in also attended by her mother Blanca, brother Gabriel, and boyfriend Riley Roberts, despite saying she would not vote for the speaker’s rules which impose a fiscal straitjacket on the Democrats.

Earlier she had been just a few rows back from the Democratic party leader, and the New York politician, 29, was a source of attention by fellow lawmakers on a day of warm greetings, new acquaintances, and grip-and-grins.

Clad all in white – a probable tribute to the color of the campaign for female suffrage, but also making her easy to spot – she showed she was one of the stars of the new Congress.

Although she toppled a powerful New York Democrat, Rep. Joe Crowley, to take his Queens and the Bronx district, New York 14, Ocasio-Cortez had warm greetings from senior lawmakers who were eager to establish contact with the most famous new famous face in Congress – and a rival power center to leadership.

As lawmakers mingled before the 116th Congress organized, the 29-year-old lawmaker snapped a selfie with a group of fellow Democrats, including Jahan Harris of Connecticut, Jan Schakowski of Illinois, Ann McLane Kuster, of New Hampshire, and others.

House rules do not prohibit photographs on the floor or the use of iPhones, unless they ‘impair decorum’.

Then she took a selfie with an expanded group that included Rep. Sheila Jackson-Lee and others. 

Greeting: Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez hugged Nancy Pelosi before the new Democratic speaker ceremonially swore in the New York congresswoman 

Greeting: Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez hugged Nancy Pelosi before the new Democratic speaker ceremonially swore in the New York congresswoman 

Greeting: Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez hugged Nancy Pelosi before the new Democratic speaker ceremonially swore in the New York congresswoman 

Meet mom: Nancy Pelosi shook hands with Blanca Ocasio-Cortez, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez's mom

Meet mom: Nancy Pelosi shook hands with Blanca Ocasio-Cortez, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez's mom

Meet mom: Nancy Pelosi shook hands with Blanca Ocasio-Cortez, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez’s mom

Reason to smile: Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez was sworn in on a copy of the Bible held by her mom and with her brother Gabriel beside her

Reason to smile: Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez was sworn in on a copy of the Bible held by her mom and with her brother Gabriel beside her

Reason to smile: Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez was sworn in on a copy of the Bible held by her mom and with her brother Gabriel beside her

Meet the family: Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez brought members of her family for the ceremony including her boyfriend Riley Roberts, a web developer (second right), her brother Gabriel (fourth from right) and her mom Blanca, who held the Bible or her 

Meet the family: Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez brought members of her family for the ceremony including her boyfriend Riley Roberts, a web developer (second right), her brother Gabriel (fourth from right) and her mom Blanca, who held the Bible or her 

Meet the family: Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez brought members of her family for the ceremony including her boyfriend Riley Roberts, a web developer (second right), her brother Gabriel (fourth from right) and her mom Blanca, who held the Bible or her 

Selfie time: Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, the freshman Democrat representing New York's 14th Congressional District, takes a selfie with Barbara Lee, from California and Ann McLane Kuster, from New Hampshire

Selfie time: Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, the freshman Democrat representing New York's 14th Congressional District, takes a selfie with Barbara Lee, from California and Ann McLane Kuster, from New Hampshire

Selfie time: Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, the freshman Democrat representing New York’s 14th Congressional District, takes a selfie with Barbara Lee, from California and Ann McLane Kuster, from New Hampshire

Now on my iPhone: California's Barbara Lee gets a selfie with Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, the freshman socialist Democrat from New York, and Ann McLane Kuster, from new Hampshire

Now on my iPhone: California's Barbara Lee gets a selfie with Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, the freshman socialist Democrat from New York, and Ann McLane Kuster, from new Hampshire

Now on my iPhone: California’s Barbara Lee gets a selfie with Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, the freshman socialist Democrat from New York, and Ann McLane Kuster, from new Hampshire

My turn: Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez used an iPhone with extra battery power as she and Sheila Jackson Lee posed together

My turn: Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez used an iPhone with extra battery power as she and Sheila Jackson Lee posed together

My turn: Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez used an iPhone with extra battery power as she and Sheila Jackson Lee posed together

Meet the new boss: Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Barbara Lee , Jahana Hayes, Lauren Underwood, and Sheila Jackson Lee turn round to watch Nancy Pelosi enter the House chamber - on her way to becoming Speaker

Meet the new boss: Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Barbara Lee , Jahana Hayes, Lauren Underwood, and Sheila Jackson Lee turn round to watch Nancy Pelosi enter the House chamber - on her way to becoming Speaker

Meet the new boss: Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Barbara Lee , Jahana Hayes, Lauren Underwood, and Sheila Jackson Lee turn round to watch Nancy Pelosi enter the House chamber – on her way to becoming Speaker

Taking the oath: Alexandra Ocaiso-Cortez stood with Jahana Hayes on one side and an empty seat on the other as members of Congress pledged allegiance

Taking the oath: Alexandra Ocaiso-Cortez stood with Jahana Hayes on one side and an empty seat on the other as members of Congress pledged allegiance

Taking the oath: Alexandra Ocaiso-Cortez stood with Jahana Hayes on one side and an empty seat on the other as members of Congress pledged allegiance

Hand-in-hand: Jahana Hayes, who represents the fifth district of Connecticut held hands with Alexandra Ocasio-Cortez during prayers after taking the oath

Hand-in-hand: Jahana Hayes, who represents the fifth district of Connecticut held hands with Alexandra Ocasio-Cortez during prayers after taking the oath

Hand-in-hand: Jahana Hayes, who represents the fifth district of Connecticut held hands with Alexandra Ocasio-Cortez during prayers after taking the oath

Meet the star: Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez mingles with other Democrats on the floor of the House as Nancy Pelosi gets ready to become speaker

Meet the star: Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez mingles with other Democrats on the floor of the House as Nancy Pelosi gets ready to become speaker

Meet the star: Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez mingles with other Democrats on the floor of the House as Nancy Pelosi gets ready to become speaker

And here's how they came out: Ocasio-Cortex retweeted Barbara Lee's selection of some of the selfies

And here's how they came out: Ocasio-Cortex retweeted Barbara Lee's selection of some of the selfies

And here’s how they came out: Ocasio-Cortex retweeted Barbara Lee’s selection of some of the selfies

She repeatedly smiled both for the camera and for the new members she must work with now that she joined a body with the power to investigate President Trump, but not necessarily the votes to push through left-leaning policies that he would veto.

In a sign of camaraderie with another new lawmaker, she and Harris each repeatedly adjusted each other’s hair in preparation for the big event.

Then another lawmaker took his own photo of the expanded group. For a different perspective, Ocasio-Cortez extended her arm, and held out a cell phone to get a shot of herself and Harris with the dais in the background.

She also got a snap with Jackson-Lee, known for her impassioned late night floor speeches during ‘special orders’ while her party served in the minority.

After one set of photos, Kuster could be seen looking at her phone while other participants looked over her shoulder, in what could have been a moment of curating or sharing the fresh images. 

In between the snaps, a parade of new and senior members came to greet the most prominent member of the freshman class of the 116th Congress. One lawmaker introduced her to his baby.

Seasoned legislators including Rep. Debbie Dingell (D-Mich.), whose husband was a powerhouse for generations, also came by to sit next to her and exchange words with the politician who toppled powerful Rep. Joe Crowley, who had a political machine in Queens and a seat at the leadership table in Washington.

She wore a white suit in a gesture female members sometimes make as a tribute to the fight for women’s right to vote.

She wasn’t the only lawmaker to make use of cell phone photos on the floor. Pelosi, who as the incoming speaker drafted the new Rules package that Ocasio-Cortez said she won’t vote for, also posed for a selfie with another lawmaker, then grinned for other cell phone shots.

It will now fall to Pelosi to enforce decorum and other rules as she sees fit.

Pelosi, who on Wednesday night got serenaded by crooner Tony Bennett at a party at the Italian embassy, wore a bright red dress and was her own center of attention. A series of lawmakers came to greet her and get photos.

Pelosi stood for applause when she was introduced by New York Rep. Hakeem Jeffries, who has joined his party’s leadership.        

Greeting: Rep. John Lewis shook hands with Alexandra Ocasio-Cortez

Greeting: Rep. John Lewis shook hands with Alexandra Ocasio-Cortez

Greeting: Rep. John Lewis shook hands with Alexandra Ocasio-Cortez

Meet the neighbor: Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez greets Adrian Espaillat, who represents the 13th district of New York, which adjoins her 14th district. He is the first former undocumented immigrant in Congress

Meet the neighbor: Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez greets Adrian Espaillat, who represents the 13th district of New York, which adjoins her 14th district. He is the first former undocumented immigrant in Congress

Meet the neighbor: Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez greets Adrian Espaillat, who represents the 13th district of New York, which adjoins her 14th district. He is the first former undocumented immigrant in Congress

Nice to meet you: Alexandra Ocasio-Cortez greets another member of Congress as she prepares for her first act as a member of the House of Representatives

Nice to meet you: Alexandra Ocasio-Cortez greets another member of Congress as she prepares for her first act as a member of the House of Representatives

Nice to meet you: Alexandra Ocasio-Cortez greets another member of Congress as she prepares for her first act as a member of the House of Representatives

Say hi: Alexandra Ocasio-Cortez greets a baby on the floor of the House of Representatives. Families are welcomed during the opening session

Say hi: Alexandra Ocasio-Cortez greets a baby on the floor of the House of Representatives. Families are welcomed during the opening session

Say hi: Alexandra Ocasio-Cortez greets a baby on the floor of the House of Representatives. Families are welcomed during the opening session

Fun time: The hard work is about to begin for members of Congress but Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and other members of the Democratic caucus were happy to enjoy the opening

Fun time: The hard work is about to begin for members of Congress but Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and other members of the Democratic caucus were happy to enjoy the opening

Fun time: The hard work is about to begin for members of Congress but Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and other members of the Democratic caucus were happy to enjoy the opening

On their feet: Lauren Underwood, Jahana Hayes and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez in the chamber as Nancy Pelosi waits to become speaker

On their feet: Lauren Underwood, Jahana Hayes and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez in the chamber as Nancy Pelosi waits to become speaker

On their feet: Lauren Underwood, Jahana Hayes and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez in the chamber as Nancy Pelosi waits to become speaker

Rebellion planned: Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez was following her upbeat entrance to the House by voting against Nancy Pelosi's rules package which will stop unfunded spending

Rebellion planned: Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez was following her upbeat entrance to the House by voting against Nancy Pelosi's rules package which will stop unfunded spending

Rebellion planned: Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez was following her upbeat entrance to the House by voting against Nancy Pelosi's rules package which will stop unfunded spending

Rebellion planned: Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez was following her upbeat entrance to the House by voting against Nancy Pelosi's rules package which will stop unfunded spending

Rebellion planned: Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez was following her upbeat entrance to the House by voting against Nancy Pelosi’s rules package which will stop unfunded spending

Ocasio-Cortez objects to the pay-go measure that requires all new spending be offset 

Ocasio-Cortez objects to the pay-go measure that requires all new spending be offset 

Ocasio-Cortez objects to the pay-go measure that requires all new spending be offset 

Ocasio-Cortez is beginning her congressional career with a rebellion against incoming Speaker Nancy Pelosi.

Ocasio-Cortez announced on Wednesday she was voting ‘no’ on the House rules package Democrats’ will present when they take power on Thursday.

The rules package is one of the first votes the House will take under Pelosi’s reign. It would be highly irregular and quite dramatic if it’s voted down given the majority in power makes the rules of the House and members vote for it as a matter of form.

Eighteen Democrats would need to vote against the package on Thursday to sink it – a move that would be seen as a significant set back to Pelosi’s tenure as speaker. 

Ocasio-Cortez has pushed to her mark on the Democratic agenda even before she has taken the oath of office and has not shied away from challenging Pelosi’s leadership.

She and fellow progressive Rep. Ro Khanna oppose the ‘pay-go’ measure in the rules package that requires all new spending to be offset with either budget cuts or tax increases.

Supporters argue pay-go keeps the federal deficit in check.  

But liberals typically oppose pay-go rules as it makes it more difficult to pass a progressive agenda – such as universal healthcare, tuition-free public college, and going green initiatives.  

The pay-go measure can be waived on legislation. The incoming freshman lawmaker explained she opposes pay-go because ‘we shouldn’t hinder ourselves from the start.’ Khanna tweeted his opposition to the measure first. 

‘I will be voting NO on the Rules package with #paygo. It is terrible economics. The austerians were wrong about the Great Recession and Great Depression. At some point, politicians need to learn from mistakes and read economic history,’ the California Democrat wrote Wednesday.

Ocasio-Cortez retweeted his tweet with her own comment: ‘Tomorrow I will also vote No on the rules package, which is trying to slip in #PAYGO. PAYGO isn’t only bad economics, as @RoKhanna explains; it’s also a dark political maneuver designed to hamstring progress on healthcare+other leg. We shouldn’t hinder ourselves from the start.’

She has also slammed Democrats for failing to take up her proposed special climate change committee called the Green New Deal because it was deemed ‘too controversial.’

In a twitter thread on Monday she blasted members of her own party on the matter.  

Source Article from https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-6555141/Selfie-time-Alexandra-Ocasio-Cortez-turns-session-House-photo-shoot.html

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