Ocasio-Cortez, Magaziner, Jayapal Statement in Response to House GOP Leadership Stock Trading Proposal

Press Release

Washington, DC- Today, Representatives Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (NY-14), Pramila Jayapal (WA-07),and Seth Magaziner (RI-02), leaders in the effort to ban Members of Congress from trading stocks and original co-sponsors of the bipartisan Restore Trust in Congress Act, released the following statement in response to a stock-trading proposal released today and backed by House Republican leadership.

"Any bill that still allows Members of Congress to own and trade stocks falls far short of what the American people want and deserve. We are disappointed that the bill introduced by Republican leadership today fails to deliver the reform that is needed and instead protects the wealthiest Members of Congress by allowing them to continue to hold and sell stock.

While this bill prohibits Members from buying new stocks, it does nothing to remove the conflict of interest that arises from owning or selling existing stocks. Members can still act on legislation, investigations, and briefings that directly influence the value of their stocks for personal benefit.

The American public deserves to know that Members of Congress are making decisions in the public interest, not in the interest of their own pocketbooks. The only way to restore Americans' trust is to ban Members of Congress from owning and trading stocks.

We hope that Speaker Johnson will find the courage to move the Restore Trust in Congress Act, a bipartisan consensus bill that has wide support from members of both parties and will end the practice of Members of Congress owning and trading stocks once and for all."

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