A bipartisan group of House members, including progressives and conservatives, employed a discharge petition to force a vote on a bill banning congressional stock trading, a move similar to one used to release the Jeffrey Epstein files. The legislation gained urgency due to concerns about insider trading by lawmakers, with previous attempts to address the issue, such as a bill from Rep. Chip Roy and Abigail Spanberger, stalled under former Speaker Nancy Pelosi. The current Speaker, Mike Johnson, has faced criticism for restricting votes and aligning with Donald Trump, prompting more frequent use of discharge petitions by frustrated members. While the House vote is now secured, the bill’s passage through the Senate, particularly given former President Trump’s opposition, remains uncertain.
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Nearly 100 former lawmakers call on House to ban stock trading by members of Congress, and it’s certainly a topic that’s sparking a lot of discussion. The very fact that this many former members are speaking out says something, doesn’t it? It feels like a late realization, a collective “hindsight is 20/20” moment. It’s a bit of a cliché, the “I got mine, now pull up the ladder” mentality, but there’s a definite whiff of that in the air. These are people who, by virtue of having been “former,” are no longer directly benefiting from the system they’re criticizing. It’s easy to advocate for change when you’re not personally affected by it anymore.… Continue reading
Congressman Ro Khanna of Silicon Valley plans to introduce a bill that would prohibit elected officials from trading stocks and cryptocurrencies. This proposed legislation comes in response to growing concerns over potential conflicts of interest and public distrust of politicians’ financial activities. Khanna is seeking bipartisan support for the bill, acknowledging that this issue has generated controversy across the political spectrum. More details on the situation can be found in the NBC Bay Area video report.
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A significant portion of U.S. Congress members traded stocks from 2019-2021, raising concerns about potential conflicts of interest, which has prompted strong public support for a ban on such trading. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand introduced the No Stock Act, a bill that would prohibit senior government officials, including members of Congress and their families, from holding or trading stocks and certain other financial assets. This bill aims to eliminate conflicts of interest by fully restricting stock trading for high-ranking officials, building upon the existing STOCK Act, which barred insider trading.
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Republican populists are reportedly gearing up to take matters into their own hands, aiming to sidestep House Speaker Mike Johnson on some crucial issues. The focus is on forcing votes regarding the release of the Epstein files and a ban on congressional stock trading. It seems a growing faction within the GOP is frustrated with the current leadership and is choosing a more direct route to address these matters, potentially using a procedural tool known as the discharge petition.
The discharge petition is a mechanism that allows rank-and-file House members to compel a vote on legislation, provided they can gather enough signatures, specifically a majority of the House, which is 218 members.… Continue reading
Responding to inquiries about her wealth and stock trades, Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene launched a defensive response, refuting accusations that her net worth has significantly increased since entering Congress. The Georgia Republican, who has made numerous stock trades, including some that coincided with market fluctuations, has come under scrutiny for her financial activities. Despite the controversy, Greene maintains that her wealth predates her time in Congress and is managed by a financial manager, while also alleging that the criticism is politically motivated. The situation has spurred discussions about potential restrictions on stock trading by members of Congress, with calls for greater transparency and accountability.
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Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene’s investment in Palantir Technologies has seen a significant surge of 142% since April, coinciding with a $30 million contract awarded to the company by ICE. This occurred shortly after her investment, which raised questions given her position on the House Homeland Security Committee overseeing ICE. Greene has stated her financial advisor manages her investments and that her trades are reported with full transparency. This situation highlights the ongoing debate surrounding stock trading by members of Congress and potential conflicts of interest, further complicated by the recent sale of Trump Media stock by White House deputy chief of staff Dan Scavino, just before the announcement of tariffs and market declines.
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Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene’s investment in Palantir Technologies surged 142% since April, shortly before ICE awarded the company a $30 million contract. Greene, a member of the House Homeland Security Committee, clarified that her financial advisor controls her investments. This occurred around the same time that White House Deputy Chief of Staff Dan Scavino sold Trump Media stock the day before tariffs were announced, causing markets to plummet. These events have led to increasing public support for banning stock trading by members of Congress.
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In the days leading up to President Trump’s April 9th tariff pause, numerous members of Congress engaged in stock transactions totaling millions of dollars, raising ethical concerns. These transactions, many occurring amidst market volatility spurred by Trump’s trade policy announcements, involved both Democrats and Republicans. While lawmakers claim trades were managed by third-party advisors, the timing has fueled suspicion of insider trading. Experts and some on Capitol Hill argue that the lack of transparency and enforcement around congressional stock trading undermines public trust.
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Sens. Kelly and Ossoff reintroduced the Ban Congressional Stock Trading Act, mandating that members of Congress, their spouses, and dependents either place their stock portfolios in blind trusts or divest holdings. This bipartisan effort enjoys overwhelming public support, with 86% of Americans favoring a ban. The bill aims to prevent the use of insider information for personal financial gain and restore public trust in Congress. Several senators cosponsored the bill, highlighting the widespread concern over the ethical implications of Congressional stock trading.
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John Q. Hosedrinker 
Matt Underwood