#CongressTradingBan The#CongressTradingBan refers to proposed legislation aimed at prohibiting members of the US Congress from trading stocks. This bill, backed by lawmakers like Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, seeks to prevent conflicts of interest and restore public trust in government.
*Key Provisions:*
- *Prohibition on Stock Trading*: Members of Congress and their families would be banned from buying or selling individual stocks while in office.
- *Increased Transparency*: Proponents argue that this ban would help prevent lawmakers from using sensitive information for personal financial gain.
*Legislative Progress:*
- The Senate Committee on Homeland Security & Governmental Affairs has approved a bill banning congressional stock trading, marking a historic first.
- The bill, known as the ETHICS Act, was introduced by Sens. Jeff Merkley, Josh Hawley, Jon Ossoff, and Gary Peters.
- A similar bill, the Ban Stock Trading for Government Officials Act of 2023 (S.2463), was introduced in the House ¹ ².
*Public Support:*
- A 2023 Morning Consult/Politico poll found 68% of Americans support a stock trading ban for members of Congress.
- A University of Maryland study found 87% of bipartisan majorities favor such a ban, extending to the president, vice president, and Supreme Court justices ¹.