#CongressTradingBan

There's a growing movement to ban stock trading by members of Congress, led by Democrats who argue it's a form of insider trading that erodes public trust in government. Here's what's happening ¹ ²:

- *The Issue*: Lawmakers have access to sensitive information that can impact the stock market, which they can use to make profitable trades. This raises concerns about conflicts of interest and unfair advantages.

- *Proposed Legislation*: Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-New York) has introduced a bill that would ban members of Congress from owning and trading stocks while in office. The bill aims to prevent lawmakers from using their position for personal financial gain.

- *Support from Democratic Leaders*: House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-New York) has expressed support for the idea, stating that lawmakers should not be allowed to trade stocks while in office. However, he hasn't fully endorsed Ocasio-Cortez's bill, suggesting some flexibility on the specifics.

- *Arguments for the Ban*: Proponents argue that the ban would help restore public trust in government and prevent conflicts of interest. They point to instances where lawmakers have made significant trades, potentially using non-public information.

- *Recent Catalysts*: The debate has been fueled by President Trump's tariff actions and their impact on the market, with some lawmakers questioning whether administration officials or lawmakers benefited from the changes.

Some notable lawmakers involved in this issue include ¹:

- *Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-New York)*: Lead sponsor of the bill to ban stock trading by members of Congress.

- *House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-New York)*: Expressed support for banning lawmakers from trading stocks.

- *Sen. Adam Schiff (D-California)*: Called for an investigation into potential insider trading by administration officials and lawmakers.