Duckworth Joins Ossoff, Kelly to Introduce Bill Banning Stock Trading by Members of Congress
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] — U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) joined U.S. Senators Jon Ossoff (D-GA) and Mark Kelly (D-AZ) in introducing legislation to ban stock trading by members of Congress. The Ban Congressional Stock Trading Act would require all members of Congress, their spouses and dependent children to place their stocks into a blind trust or divest the holding—ensuring they cannot use inside information to influence their stock trades and make a profit.
“My colleagues and I in Congress were elected to look out for the best interests of our constituents, not our own financial interests—and the American people deserve confidence that is the case,” said Senator Duckworth. “I’m proud to help introduce the Ban Congressional Stock Trading Act with Senators Ossoff and Kelly to help restore trust in our government as well as strengthen integrity and transparency in Washington.”
“Members of Congress should not be playing the stock market while we make Federal policy and have extraordinary access to confidential information,” said Senator Ossoff. “Stock trading by members of Congress massively erodes public confidence in Congress with serious appearance of impropriety, which is why we should ban stock trading by members of Congress altogether.”
“Elected officials don’t just make policy; they also have access to valuable information that shapes different industries and the entire economy. Members of Congress should be focused on representing their constituents, not their stock portfolios,” said Senator Kelly. “I’m reintroducing this legislation with Sen. Ossoff to prevent corrupt insider trading and make Washington work better for Arizonans.”
The American people overwhelmingly support this policy, with 86% saying they back the measure, including 88% of Democrats, 87% of Republicans and 81% of Independents.
Along with Duckworth, Ossoff and Kelly, the bill is also co-sponsored by U.S. Senators Reverend Raphael Warnock (D-GA), Michael Bennet (D-CO), Ben Ray Luján (D-NM), Brian Schatz (D-HI) and Tammy Baldwin (D-WI).
A full copy of the bill text can be found here.
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