Ocasio-Cortez Steps In as Unofficial Tour Guide for Students During Capitol Shutdown

Washington D.C. – In an unexpected turn of events amidst a federal government shutdown, Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) personally guided a group of students from the Bronx and New York City through the U.S. Capitol on October 1. The students, who had traveled to the nation's capital, found their planned tour disrupted as official Capitol tour guides were not on duty due to the shutdown. Speaking to reporters during the impromptu tour, Rep. Ocasio-Cortez stated, "So, we had a tour bus full of Bronx students and New York City students getting a tour of the Capitol, to tour the Capitol shut down. Tour guides are not in for duty today, but to have everyone bussed down, I mean, it'd be terrible to have all that there and everyone's already here. So, I'm giving the tour." The initiative by the New York representative provided the students with an opportunity to experience the Capitol despite the operational challenges. When asked if other representatives were undertaking similar actions for their constituents, Ocasio-Cortez replied, "I'm not sure. I just woke up this morning and got out of bed and this is what we're doing today." Her actions highlight the impact of government shutdowns on public services and the efforts of individual lawmakers to mitigate these effects.