Senator Moody: Democrats are the Party of No, Continue to Block Legislation to Protect Ratepayers and Ban Stock Trading in Congress

WASHINGTON, D.C.- Today, Senator Ashley Moody released the following statement after Senate Democrats blocked The Stop Insider Trading Act, which she cosponsored, and The Ratepayer Protection Act. These two measures would stop Congressional stock trading, institute nationwide voter ID requirements, and ensure families are not stuck paying the costs of potential new data centers.

"This is exactly why Americans are frustrated with Washington. Democrats had the opportunity to join us in restoring some faith in our government by banning members of Congress from trading stocks and protecting families from paying the costs for massive data centers, and they said NO. Instead of working to benefit the American people, Democrats chose to play politics to solicit praise from the most radical element of their base," said Senator Ashley Moody.

BACKGROUND:

• Senator Moody recently took to the Senate floor to seek unanimous consent to pass the Stop Insider Trading Act, which passed by the House in bipartisan fashion.
• The Stop Insider Trading Act would generally prohibit Members of Congress and their spouses and dependent children from purchasing stocks and requiring public notice before selling stocks. The measure would also instate national voter ID requirements.
• Earlier this year, Senator Moody introduced the bipartisan Restore Trust in Congress Act to stop insider trading.
• Senator Moody has also been a strong advocate for protecting Florida ratepayers and co-sponsored The Ratepayer Protection Act, which passed the House by and overwhelming 417-3 vote.
  • This legislation would require state utility regulators and unregulated utilities to consider adopting large load standards ensuring cost recovery for the "full, incremental" cost of any generation, transmission or distribution upgrade needed to serve the large-load customer.
• The vast majority of Americans support voter ID-according to Pew Research Center, 83% of adults-including 76% of Black Americans and 82% of Hispanic Americans.
• According to a University of Maryland study, an overwhelming majority of 86% of American favor banning members of Congress from trading individual stocks, including 88% of Democrats and 81% of Independents.
• Both measures passed the House, but Senate Democrats blocked them from advancing.

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