AOC Touts $14M for NYC District in Bill She Voted Against

Congresswoman also announces plans to train 'legal observers' to monitor ICE activities

Published on Feb. 5, 2026

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Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) touted the approval of $14 million for projects in her New York district that was included in a government funding bill she voted against. She also announced plans to coordinate 'legal observer' trainings for anti-ICE activists at a Queens town hall.

Why it matters

Ocasio-Cortez's actions highlight the complex dynamics of partisan politics, where lawmakers may vote against bills that still contain funding for their districts. Her plans to train 'legal observers' also reflect growing tensions over immigration enforcement and the role of federal agencies like ICE.

The details

At the town hall, Ocasio-Cortez said she 'did not vote for' the $1.2 trillion government spending bill, but noted that it 'included $14 million for different community funding projects' in her district. She later announced plans to host 'legal observer' trainings in coordination with an anti-ICE activist group, aimed at teaching people how to 'observe, to film, to take notes without being deemed as impeding law enforcement'.

  • The $1.2 trillion government spending bill was recently passed.
  • Ocasio-Cortez held the town hall on Thursday.

The players

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez

A Democratic Congresswoman representing New York's 14th congressional district.

Hands Off NYC

An anti-ICE activist group that Ocasio-Cortez plans to coordinate 'legal observer' trainings with.

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What they’re saying

“Included in that bundling – even though I voted no – we were able to secure $14 million for different community funding projects here in New York's 14th congressional district.”

— Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez

“This upcoming fight on DHS is it. This is the moment. We have to send that message … to both of our senators in New York state.”

— Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez

“So this is the neighborhood where almost every family has an immigrant. So all of these ICE raids affects everyone in this neighborhood, and to sort of know that our congressperson is supporting us to make sure that our families are protected is really important, and so I'm glad to come tonight, and listen to her, and to know that she will stand up for us in Washington is really important.”

— Nuala O'Doherty-Naranjo, Runs the Jackson Heights Immigrant Center (New York Post)

What’s next

Ocasio-Cortez plans to host 'legal observer' trainings in coordination with the anti-ICE activist group Hands Off NYC in the coming weeks.

The takeaway

Ocasio-Cortez's actions highlight the complex dynamics of partisan politics, where lawmakers may vote against bills that still contain funding for their districts. Her plans to train 'legal observers' also reflect growing tensions over immigration enforcement and the role of federal agencies like ICE.