John:

Public confidence in Congress is at historic lows, in part because Americans see some members of Congress prioritizing their personal interests over those of the people they represent. One glaring conflict of interest: members of Congress are trading stocks in companies they regulate.

The potential for corruption is clear. At a time when the influence of money in our politics is at an all-time high, we see case after case of elected officials making trades after getting information that other Americans aren't privy to.

Polls show that large majorities of Republican and Democratic voters want a ban on congressional stock trading. Leaders in both parties have recently voiced support for new restrictions.

Bipartisan support in Congress has been building, and your voice can help push this much-needed reform forward. John, will you take a moment to demand that your representative and senators support a ban on congressional stock trading?

Members of Congress traded over $150 million in stocks during the pandemic. Committee members have made suspiciously profitable trades after receiving insider information.

Existing regulations have proved entirely inadequate. The Stock Act, passed in 2012, aimed to curb this issue by requiring members to disclose many of their trades. But violations are hard to uncover, and penalties are extremely weak. Public outcry can lead to reform.

Congress banning stock trading by its own members would be a meaningful step in restoring the public’s trust in elected officials. It would show that Congress is responsive to its voters — not their personal financial gain.

Thank you for taking action,
The Brennan Center team