Congress Must Urgently Pass the Bipartisan Restore Trust in Congress Act

Washington, D.C. — Today, government watchdogs applauded Representatives Seth Magaziner (D-RI), Tim Burchett (R-TN), Pramila Jayapal (D-WA), Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA), Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY), Anna Luna (R-FL), Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL), Scott Perry (R-PA), Dave Min (D-CA), Zach Nunn (R-IA), Joe Neguse (D-CO), Michael Cloud (R-TX), Mike Levin (D-CA), Ralph Norman (R-SC), and Josh Riley (D-NY) for introducing bipartisan legislation that will crack down on congressional stock trading. Years of inaction and insufficient stopgaps have allowed some representatives to cheat the system for their own financial gain.

Dylan Hedtler-Gaudette, acting vice president of Policy & Government Affairs at the Project on Government Oversight (POGO), issued the following statement:

“As public trust in Congress wanes, the Restore Trust in Congress Act is a critical step forward. It would restore fairness and accountability by cracking down on insider trading and conflicts of interest in the halls of Congress. This long-awaited, comprehensive bill prevents members of Congress, their spouses, and their dependents from gaming the system, while still protecting their ability to invest in the economy like any other American.

“With robust bipartisan support, this legislation is proof that progress on this issue is not only possible — it’s a political necessity. But time is of the essence. Last month, the Senate advanced its own stock trading bill out of committee. After years of inaction, the House must act swiftly to pass the Restore Trust in Congress Act and ensure members of Congress are making decisions based on the public’s best interests — not their own financial gain.”