For the last 152 years, AOC has meant one thing in Washington: Architect of the Capitol. It’s been a good run, but these days those letters instantly bring to mind a certain new star of the Democratic Party, not a semi-obscure government office. So what’s the difference?
[su_table]
Architect of the Capitol
|
VS. |
Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez
|
| Responsible for federal buildings on Capitol Hill; overhauling the Cannon House Office Building |
Claim to fame |
Youngest-ever female member of Congress; pushing to overhaul tax rates on highest earners |
| Maintaining government institutions |
Mission |
Challenging government conventions |
| The all-white domed-building look |
Favored aesthetic |
The all-white pantsuit look |
| 288 feet (to the top of the Capitol dome’s Statue of Freedom) |
Height |
Five foot four |
| Criticized for a painting in the Capitol that depicted police as pigs |
Controversy |
Criticized for an old video clip of her doing a goofy dance |
[/su_table]
This article appears in the March 2019 issue of Washingtonian.
Home & Features Editor
Mimi Montgomery joined Washingtonian in 2018. She’s written for The Washington Post, Garden & Gun, Outside Magazine, Washington City Paper, DCist, and PoPVille. Originally from North Carolina, she now lives in Del Ray.
