Supporters of a Congressional stock trade ban are growing increasingly frustrated as lawmakers delay the bill's advancement. The proposed legislation, known as the Restore Trust in Congress Act, has garnered bipartisan support and widespread public backing. However, its progress appears to be hindered by House Speaker Mike Johnson's reluctance to move forward with a markup hearing.
Despite Johnson's expressed support for a stock trading ban, some lawmakers worry that he is intentionally delaying the bill's passage. This concern was echoed by Craig Holman, a lobbyist with the nonprofit organization Public Citizen, who stated that the speaker could have simply proceeded with a markup hearing if he truly supported the measure.
The Restore Trust in Congress Act has been years in the making and aims to address the flaws in existing law. However, its chances of becoming law are being hampered by Senate opposition and internal divisions within House leadership. Public Citizen's Holman believes that the bigger obstacle lies in the Senate, where individual senators have more sway and a group of Republicans have expressed their opposition.
The lack of concrete action on this issue has sparked concerns among lawmakers who argue that existing law does little to curb self-dealing by members of Congress. For instance, former Sen. Richard Burr's suspiciously timed sell-off of his holdings before the COVID-19 pandemic is often cited as an example of questionable congressional trading practices.
The House Administration Committee hearing on the flaws of current rules has highlighted the need for reform, but it also raised questions about the bill's chances of becoming law. Rep. Seth Magaziner, a co-sponsor of the legislation, acknowledged that while some progress was made, more needs to be done soon to ensure the bill is taken seriously.
A discharge petition, which has been used in the past to force a bill onto the floor, may become an option if Johnson's office does not move forward with the bill. One leading Republican co-sponsor, Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick, expressed confidence that the bill will eventually reach the House floor.
However, concerns about Trump and his family's involvement in stock trading practices continue to cast a shadow over the issue. Public Citizen's Holman noted that addressing these issues would require strengthening existing law, but he also acknowledged that perfection is not always possible when it comes to legislation.
The delay tactics surrounding this bill have raised concerns among lawmakers who argue that existing laws do little to curb self-dealing by members of Congress. As one critic pointed out, the Intercept has long covered authoritarian governments and billionaire oligarchs, and it understands the challenge posed by Trump's assault on democracy.
Despite Johnson's expressed support for a stock trading ban, some lawmakers worry that he is intentionally delaying the bill's passage. This concern was echoed by Craig Holman, a lobbyist with the nonprofit organization Public Citizen, who stated that the speaker could have simply proceeded with a markup hearing if he truly supported the measure.
The Restore Trust in Congress Act has been years in the making and aims to address the flaws in existing law. However, its chances of becoming law are being hampered by Senate opposition and internal divisions within House leadership. Public Citizen's Holman believes that the bigger obstacle lies in the Senate, where individual senators have more sway and a group of Republicans have expressed their opposition.
The lack of concrete action on this issue has sparked concerns among lawmakers who argue that existing law does little to curb self-dealing by members of Congress. For instance, former Sen. Richard Burr's suspiciously timed sell-off of his holdings before the COVID-19 pandemic is often cited as an example of questionable congressional trading practices.
The House Administration Committee hearing on the flaws of current rules has highlighted the need for reform, but it also raised questions about the bill's chances of becoming law. Rep. Seth Magaziner, a co-sponsor of the legislation, acknowledged that while some progress was made, more needs to be done soon to ensure the bill is taken seriously.
A discharge petition, which has been used in the past to force a bill onto the floor, may become an option if Johnson's office does not move forward with the bill. One leading Republican co-sponsor, Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick, expressed confidence that the bill will eventually reach the House floor.
However, concerns about Trump and his family's involvement in stock trading practices continue to cast a shadow over the issue. Public Citizen's Holman noted that addressing these issues would require strengthening existing law, but he also acknowledged that perfection is not always possible when it comes to legislation.
The delay tactics surrounding this bill have raised concerns among lawmakers who argue that existing laws do little to curb self-dealing by members of Congress. As one critic pointed out, the Intercept has long covered authoritarian governments and billionaire oligarchs, and it understands the challenge posed by Trump's assault on democracy.
. It's like, back in my day we didn't think it was right for our leaders to be makin' money off the very system they're supposed to regulate 
. And now with all this fuss about the Congressional stock trade ban, I'm wonderin' why it's takin' so long to get passed 
. We need some real reform around here before folks like Trump and his family start tradin' off our democracy 
. The Intercept is spot on, by the way - these authoritarian tendencies are no joke 
.
like how does that even work? anyway back to this stock trading thing... don't get me wrong i'm all for transparency but can't we focus on something more interesting like space exploration or maybe a new record for the longest pizza delivery 
. It seems like it's been stuck in limbo for ages, and no one's really pushing forward 
. I mean, bipartisan support is there, but when you've got someone as influential as Mike Johnson holding things up, it makes me wonder if anyone's actually going to get it done 
.
. If they're not on board, it's hard to see how this bill is gonna make it through 
. Plus, with all the drama surrounding Trump and his family's involvement in stock trading... I just don't think we can rely on them to be transparent about their financial dealings 
. It seems like a lot of people are saying "same old, same old" and waiting for someone else to take action 
.
. Meanwhile, the Senate is still dragging their feet and some of these senators are just being super obstructive 
. It's like "talk is cheap" 
. I think we need more concrete action on this issue ASAP 
.
.
. Can't we just agree on something and make it happen? 
. like, can't mike johnson just make a decision already? 
.
. we need to fix these flaws in congress's laws ASAP, or else it's gonna be like, "see, we told u so" 
. and btw, public citizen's craig holman is right on point about this, btw 
. let's not sugarcoat it, the system needs to change, and we need concrete action now 
.
and yeah, i'm talking about trump too... his family's involvement in stock trading practices? come on, get real for a second! 
what's next, are they gonna start selling off their assets too?! 
we need concrete action on this, not just empty promises 
. I mean, what's the point of even having laws if they can't do anything to stop self-dealing by lawmakers? Like, seriously, Richard Burr selling off his holdings before COVID-19? That's some shady stuff 
mike johnson is supposed 2 b supportin this but instead hes delayin it like what's good ?? 
we need stronger laws 2 curb self-dealin by lawmakers, not more delays 