{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "rows": [["https://golden.house.gov/media/press-releases/golden-fitzpatrick-lead-bipartisan-coalition-demanding-vote-on-congressional-stock-trading-ban", "Golden, Fitzpatrick lead bipartisan coalition demanding vote on congressional stock trading ban", "2024-07-09", "2024", "2024-07", "Democrat", "House", "ME", "Jared F. Golden", "G000592", "golden.house.gov", "golden", "https://golden.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2014 Congressmen Jared Golden (ME-02) and Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-01) today led a bipartisan group of 20 lawmakers in urging House Speaker Mike Johnson and Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries to hold a vote on legislation that would ban members of Congress from owning and trading individual stocks.\n\n\u201cMembers of Congress should be working in service of their constituents, not using their positions to line their own pockets. Personal stock portfolios do nothing to help our districts, and even the appearance of insider trading undermines faith in elected officials\u2019 priorities,\u201d Golden said. \u201cAnyone who feels the same should have no problem voting for this common sense, long overdue step.\u201d\n\n\u201cAmericans should rightfully expect Members of Congress to work relentlessly on their behalf to tackle the challenges facing our communities and country, rather than exploit their public position for personal gain,\u201d Fitzpatrick said. \u201cWe must bring this common-sense, bipartisan legislation to the House floor and, once and for all, prohibit Members of Congress from trading stocks. Our constituents deserve better, and it is time to ensure we deliver results that benefit them and our communities across the country, not the pockets and unethical enrichment of elected officials.\u201d\n\n\u201cAmericans across the political spectrum and across the country are tired of seeing headline after headline suggesting that lawmakers are profiting off their access to privileged information. For more than four years, I\u2019ve led an effort to remove even the perception of impropriety by removing lawmakers\u2019 ability to play the stock market \u2014 and I\u2019ve been grateful for the support of Congressman Golden, Congressman Fitzpatrick, and dozens of my colleagues from both sides of the aisle,\u201d Congresswoman Abigail Spanberger (VA-07) said. \u201cAs we enter the final stretch of the 118th Congress, I urge Speaker Johnson to build on our momentum and finally bring bipartisan legislation to the U.S. House floor that would ban Members of Congress from trading individual stocks. Because Members of Congress should be focused on the people they serve \u2014 not their own stock portfolios.\u201d\n\nGolden and Fitzpatrick sent the bipartisan letter, co-signed by 18 other members, calling for a vote on any of the several bills introduced this Congress that would end the practice of congressional stock trading.\n\n\u201cWe believe that taking action on this common-sense, bipartisan legislation will ensure that members of Congress are serving the country and their constituents, not their bank accounts,\u201d the lawmakers wrote in the letter. \u201cOur constituents across the political spectrum support these efforts. According to recent polling, 86 percent of Americans \u2013 including 87 percent of Republicans, 88 percent of Democrats, and 81 percent of Independents \u2013 support prohibiting members of Congress and their families from trading stocks.\u201d\n\n\u201cIt\u2019s been nearly two years since House leadership committed to holding a vote on a bill to reform stock trading practices for Members of Congress. In a hyper-partisan political environment where American approval ratings of Congress are at an all-time low, this is a common-sense and bipartisan change, making it crystal clear that we come to Washington to serve our constituents, not to serve our own financial interests.\u201d they wrote.\n\nJoining Golden and Fitzpatrick to push for a vote on the stock trading ban for members of Congress were Representatives Katie Porter (CA-47), Abigail Spanberger (VA-07), Angie Craig (MN-02), Dean Phillips (MN-03), Matt Cartwright (PA-08), Seth Moulton (MA-06), Dusty Johnson (SD-At Large), Marie Glusenkamp Perez (WA-03), Seth Magaziner (RI-02), Mike Levin (CA-49), Gabe Vasquez (MN-02), Sharice Davids (KS-03), Donald Davis (NC-01), Eric Sorensen (IL-17), Cory Mills (FL-07), Rosa DeLauro (CT-03), Josh Brecheen (OK-02), and Jen Kiggans (VA-02).\n\nThroughout his time in Congress, Golden has championed efforts to ensure public officials act in the public interest. In April, he unveiled his Government Integrity & Anti-Corruption Plan, which includes bans on stock trading by members of Congress, senior executive branch officials, and their families. His Stop Foreign Payoffs Act would similarly prohibit their ability to hold investments or earn a salary from foreign businesses.\n\nThe letter can be found here, and is included below in full:\n\n+++\n\nJuly 9, 2024\n\nThe Honorable Mike Johnson\n\nSpeaker\n\nU.S. House of Representatives\n\nH-232, The Capitol\n\nWashington, DC 20515\n\nThe Honorable Hakeem Jeffries\n\nDemocratic Leader\n\nU.S. House of Representatives\n\nH-204, The Capitol\n\nWashington, DC 20515\n\nDear Speaker Johnson and Minority Leader Jeffries:\n\nWe are writing to respectfully urge you to hold a vote on legislation to prohibit members of Congress from owning or trading stocks. As we head into the last few months of the 118th Congress, we believe that taking action on this common-sense, bipartisan legislation will ensure that members of Congress are serving the country and their constituents, not their bank accounts.\n\nAs you know, Congress passed the STOCK Act in 2012 to prevent members of Congress from using non-public information that they receive in the course of their work for personal stock trading benefits. However, recent investigations have found that 1 in 7 members violated the STOCK Act in the 117th Congress,97 members traded stocks in companies impacted by their committee assignments from 2019 to 2021,and members outperformed the S&P 500 by 17.5% in 2022.It is abundantly clear that more is needed to stop this type of behavior that is not only unethical but also undermines the public trust in our democratic institutions.\n\nFortunately, several bipartisan bills to prohibit members from owning or trading stocks have been introduced in the House. Our constituents across the political spectrum support these efforts. According to recent polling, 86 percent of Americans\u2013 including 87 percent of Republicans, 88 percent of Democrats, and 81 percent of Independents\u2013 support prohibiting members of Congress and their families from trading stocks.\n\nIt\u2019s been nearly two years since House leadership committed to holding a vote on a bill to reform stock trading practices for Members of Congress. In a hyper-partisan political environment where American approval ratings of Congress are at an all-time low, this is a common-sense and bipartisan change, making it crystal clear that we come to Washington to serve our constituents, not to serve our own financial interests.\n\nWe stand ready to work with you to advance this important legislative priority into law. Let\u2019s get this done.\n\nRespectfully,", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T21:24:45Z"]], "columns": ["url", "title", "date", "year", "month", "party", "chamber", "state", "member_name", "bioguide_id", "domain", "scraper", "source", "date_source", "text", "has_text", "collected_at", "updated_at"], "primary_keys": ["url"], "primary_key_values": ["https://golden.house.gov/media/press-releases/golden-fitzpatrick-lead-bipartisan-coalition-demanding-vote-on-congressional-stock-trading-ban"], "units": {}, "query_ms": 1.7912858165800571, "source": "dwillis/congress-press", "source_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press", "license": "MIT", "license_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press/blob/main/LICENSE"}