#CongressTradingBan The #CongressTradingBan movement aims to prohibit members of Congress from trading stocks while in office, citing concerns over insider trading and conflicts of interest. Democratic lawmakers, including Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, are backing proposals to limit or ban stock trading among lawmakers.
*Key Developments:*
- *Bipartisan Bill:* Senators Gary Peters, Jeff Merkley, Josh Hawley, and Jon Ossoff introduced the ETHICS Act, which would ban lawmakers from buying and selling stocks.
- *Committee Approval:* The bill was approved by the Senate Committee on Homeland Security & Governmental Affairs, marking a historic first.
- *Public Support:* A 2023 poll found 68% of Americans support a stock trading ban for members of Congress, with 87% of bipartisan majorities favoring such a ban ¹ ².
*Arguments for the Ban:*
- Prevents insider trading and promotes transparency
- Restores public trust in government
- Ensures lawmakers prioritize public interest over personal gain
*Next Steps:*
- The bill will proceed to a full Senate vote, with Senator Ossoff hoping for a vote before November's elections ¹.