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John,
The line separating the activities of public service and private gain has been gradually blurred, creating a worrying conflict of interest within the United States Congress. At present, members of Congress are allowed to own and trade individual stocks, even in industries that they regulate.
This permission offers them the ability to exploit their insider knowledge to their financial advantage, compromising the essential principle of public trust that is supposed to form the bedrock of their service. This conflict of interest not only threatens the integrity of Congress but also undermines the faith of the American people in the democratic process altogether.
That’s why we must rally behind the Ending Trading and Holdings in Congressional Stocks (ETHICS) Act. This bill would prohibit members of Congress, their spouses, and dependent minors from owning or trading stocks, commodities, or futures.
With over 20 lawmakers in both the Senate and the House of Representatives supporting this bipartisan bill, we must create a grassroots groundswell pressuring every member of Congress to get it over the top and passed into law. Sign the petition demanding a ban on members of Congress owning or trading individual stock now.
The practice of members of Congress trading stocks is fundamentally unethical because it opens up an avenue for self-serving financial decision-making which will overshadow the public-centric ethos of their role.
They have access to non-public, market-sensitive information, and their ability to trade stocks creates a risk of this information being used for personal enrichment, which not only tarnishes the reputation of the political system but also widens the divide between the electorate and their representatives.
The ETHICS Act prohibits members of Congress from owning or trading any stocks, completely eliminating conflicts of interest and restoring public trust.
Public opinion is in favor of this ban, with three out of four voters agreeing that members of Congress should be prevented from trading stock, but public sentiment alone isn’t enough, we need to translate it into public action.
Join this cause by signing a petition to ban members of Congress from trading stock. This step is not just about leveling the economic playing field; it's about restoring faith in the political system. It's about making sure our elected representatives are working in the best interests of the public, not their portfolios. Sign on now.
Together we will make transparency, accountability, and ethical behavior from those who have been elected to serve as the norm.
- Amanda
Amanda Ford, Director
Democracy for America
Advocacy Fund
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