• The House Ethics Committee issued a series of rulings Friday, instructing Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez to repay improperly accepted Met Gala benefits while continuing probes into Reps. Mike Kelly, Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick, and Henry Cuellar. The decisions underscore deepening scrutiny over financial ethics and abuse of public office on both sides of the aisle.

WASHINGTON, DC (TDR) — The House Ethics Committee issued multiple findings Friday, including a directive that Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) must repay outstanding expenses tied to her high-profile appearance at the 2021 Met Gala, where she donned a white designer dress emblazoned with “Tax the Rich.” The Committee also released reports on unrelated ethics investigations involving Reps. Mike Kelly (R-Pa.), Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick (D-Fla.), and Henry Cuellar (D-Texas).

According to a 31-page report, Ocasio-Cortez improperly accepted gifts by failing to pay full fair market value for some goods and services associated with her gala attendance, including styling, wardrobe, and a hotel room.

“She impermissibly accepted a gift of free admission to the 2021 Met Gala for her partner,” the committee found.

As a guest of Vogue, Ocasio-Cortez received access to tickets valued at $35,000 each, alongside custom styling and accommodations. While the congresswoman used personal funds to cover most costs and consulted counsel regarding ethics rules, the report found the payments were delayed and incomplete.

“The Congresswoman appreciates the Committee finding that she made efforts… She accepts the ruling and will remedy the remaining amounts,” said Chief of Staff Mike Casca in a statement to the press.

Rep. Mike Kelly Reproved for Stock Dealings

Rep. Mike Kelly was formally reproved by the committee for a 2021 insider trading allegation involving stock purchased by his wife in Cleveland-Cliffs, a steel company in his district. While the panel did not find that Kelly knowingly directed the purchase, it cited lack of cooperation from Mrs. Kelly and pointed to actions the congressman took that appeared to benefit the company while his wife held shares.

“He took several actions to specifically benefit Cleveland-Cliffs,” the report noted.

The committee urged Kelly and his wife to divest from the stock and criticized his failure to “acknowledge the seriousness” of the probe.

“My family and I look forward to putting this distraction behind us,” Kelly responded in a statement.

Investigation into Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick Continues

The committee unanimously reauthorized its investigation into Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick, following a referral from the Office of Congressional Ethics. The panel is examining allegations that she tied campaign contributions to official actions, and requested federal community project funding for a for-profit entity.

Cherfilus-McCormick has also faced outside scrutiny. A Florida state agency earlier this year sued a company owned by her family, alleging it overcharged the state by $5.8 million for COVID-related contracts and has not returned the funds.

“I fully respect the process and remain committed to cooperating,” she said in a statement, emphasizing that no final conclusions had been reached.

Rep. Henry Cuellar Faces Parallel DOJ and Ethics Probes

The Ethics Committee also voted to extend its investigation into Rep. Henry Cuellar, who was indicted by the Department of Justice in 2023 on charges including bribery, conspiracy, and money laundering. While the committee acknowledged the risks of concurrent investigations, it chose to continue its review.

“The mere fact of an investigation… does not itself indicate that any violation has occurred,” the panel stated.

Cuellar’s office did not respond to media inquiries on Friday.

Ethical Concerns Span Party Lines

While the incidents vary in nature and scope, the breadth of the Ethics Committee’s actions highlights a widening concern in Congress about the erosion of public trust due to financial conflicts, gift violations, and potential criminal misconduct.

“Every lawmaker—regardless of party—must be held to a standard that protects the institution and the public,” said a senior oversight staffer familiar with the reports.

Can public confidence in Congress endure when ethics violations are treated as administrative oversights rather than institutional red flags?

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