Ocasio-Cortez defends cost-of-living increases for members of Congress: 'It's not a fun or politically popular position to take'

Freshman Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) defended her support for cost-of-living increases for members of Congress on Tuesday, saying her position will help keep dark money out of politics.

She said voting against a cost-of-living increase can "sound nice" but doing so makes campaign finance reform harder. She added it serves to "punish members who rely on a straight salary, and reward those who rely on money loopholes and other forms of self-dealing."

"It’s not a fun or politically popular position to take. But consistency is important," she tweeted. "ALL workers should get cost of living increases. That’s why minimum wage should be pegged to inflation, too."

"Voting against cost of living increases is 1 reason why dark $ loopholes stay open," she added.