They’re not just tweeting — they’re talking IRL.
In recent weeks, Texas Republican Ted Cruz and New York Democrat Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez have exchanged a series of friendly tweets on issues where the conservative senator and liberal representative have common ground — including easier access to birth control and banning members of Congress from lobbying after they leave office.
But Cruz said Thursday that the conversations have gone beyond tweets. Their staffs are currently working together and he hopes to soon introduce legislation born from their alliance.
“Our staff is working together collaboratively to try to reach agreement,” he said without going into detail about the actual legislation. “I substantively agree with the positions that she had tweeted and where we agree on policy we should work together across party lines.”
A spokesman for Ocasio-Cortez, Corbin Trent, said in response they're "absolutely excited to work with any Senate partners we can find to combat corruption in our institutions."
The Cruz-AOC partnership drew renewed attention this week when Cruz responded to Ocasio-Cortez’s tweet that “birth-control should be over-the-counter, pass it on." Cruz responded: “I agree” and suggested teaming up again on a clean bill.
“I am happy to work with anybody Republican or Democrat if we’re implementing and enacting good policy,” Cruz said.
Article originally published on POLITICO Magazine