Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) said Friday that if Democrats regain control of Congress in the midterm elections, they will pursue an extensive investigation into President Donald Trump and his administration while simultaneously advancing their legislative priorities.

Speaking on MSNBC’s The Briefing, host Jen Psaki asked Ocasio-Cortez how Democrats should balance investigations into the Trump administration with policy initiatives such as health care and affordable housing if they return to power.

Psaki said, “I played a clip of little Mike Johnson, as I like to call him, laying out how a Democratic majority in Congress would investigate the president, the cabinet, donors and friends. It all sounds, I think, probably to a lot of people watching and a lot of people out there who were infuriated by the level of corruption. Pretty good. But you’ve also talked about a lot of things you deeply care about: health care and affordable housing. I know there are many other things. What do you see as the right priorities? Balance of things, especially as it relates to investigations and accountability? Where does that fall on how much time should be spent on that?”

Ocasio-Cortez responded by pointing to her previous service on the House Oversight Committee during President Trump’s first administration and argued that congressional investigations and legislative work can proceed simultaneously.

“I mean, I of course, some I spent many years on the oversight, and on the oversight committee in Congress, which is in charge of investigations during the first Trump administration. I helped on the investigation of Michael Cohen at the time, which led to a record setting settlement from, Attorney General Letitia James. But, I think that it really is — it genuinely is a situation of we can walk and chew gum at the same time.”

She continued by pledging that congressional committees would aggressively examine the administration if Democrats take control of the House.

“There are certain committees that I think will be spearheading real investigations into this administration. There has to be accountability, and it has to be because we cannot allow this level of corruption to consume our public service and our government ever again. And the only way that you allow that are the only way that you set that precedent is by aggressive investigation and consequence.”

Ocasio-Cortez added that congressional investigations can often lead to additional legal action outside of Congress.

“And often times, some of the things that do come out in congressional investigations sometimes yield to, either state pursuits, etc.. And, you know, Mike Johnson paints this as though it’s some partizan witch hunt but if you don’t want to be prosecuted for crimes, don’t do crimes.”

{Matzav.com}