Congressional Stock Trading Ban Moves in Senate

Yesterday, the Senate’s U.S. Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee passed a bill that would would ban sitting members of Congress, the president and vice president from buying and selling stocks, as well as other securities, commodities or futures. This marks the first step on the road to finally solving the congressional stock trading problem.

For too long, elected officials have been allowed to trade stocks — which incentivizes at least some lawmakers to prioritize their own pocketbooks over policymaking. Worse yet, sitting lawmakers often have access to inside information before the broader public and they create the very laws that shape the economy.

Voters have a right to know that their elected representatives are acting in the public’s best interest and are not motivated by their personal financial interests. Campaign Legal Center has called on Congress to pass this bill without delay, in order to increase trust, transparency and accountability in our government.

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In a recent virtual event, Campaign Legal Center hosted a discussion with a panel of local community leaders who have been working to combat felony disenfranchisement. Participants explored how states across the country are making progress toward ensuring all citizens, regardless of whether they have a felony conviction, have the freedom to vote.