John,

As Americans were beginning to see the full gravity of the coronavirus pandemic, some lawmakers were already busy profiting from the situation.

After receiving a classified briefing on COVID-19 and the threat it posed, Senator Richard Burr (R-NC), Senator Kelly Loeffler (R-GA), and possibly other officeholders reportedly dumped and bought stock that would prove to benefit and shield them from financial devastation. Americans have every reason to be outraged that these senators appear to have used their insider knowledge of a global pandemic to profit financially.

These actions may have even violated the STOCK Act, which prohibits members of Congress and other public employees from using private information received through their official positions for personal benefit.

These events make painfully clear that Congress should strengthen existing prohibitions on self-dealing by officeholders. Tell Congress we want — and expect — members of Congress and other federal government employees to act exclusively in the public interest, rather than for their own personal gain.

It is dangerous for politicians to violate the public’s trust at a moment when confidence in our political system is desperately needed — but remains incredibly fragile.  

Issue One is calling out this alarming behavior and advocating for clear, simple solutions that Congress could implement to hold lawmakers accountable to the people they represent.

Members of Congress should divest their stock holdings before being sworn in, or place their assets into a qualified blind trust where they remain insulated from all decision making.

These solutions can be easily implemented by Congress. We just need them to act.

Add your name to tell Congress it’s time to put an end to politicians profiting from their position.

Thanks for your continued support,

Meredith McGehee
Executive Director, Issue One