As a citizen of the United States it is blatantly obvious that insider trading is impacting the votes of our elected congressional leaders. This disturbing behavior is undermining the sanctity of our democratic systems. Insider trading not only gives these politicians an unfair advantage but it also deeply shakes our trust in their capacity and willingness to represent their constituencies honestly.

It's a profoundly serious issue and even though the Stock Act was passed in 2012 to address it, the constituents continue to observe cases of suspected unethical actions matching the signature patterns of insider trading. A report from CBS's 60 Minutes in 2011 pointed out that members of Congress aren't considered to be within reach of insider trading laws because they're not technically obligated to the corporations they learn non-public information from. This is a loophole that undermines the spirit of fair competition and transparency, one that we must take steps to close.

It's time to strengthen the clarity and breadth of our laws. We implore our lawmakers to institute clear, unambiguous legal repercussions for Congress members found guilty of insider trading. As the people whom our representatives have the sacred duty to serve, we demand integrity, fairness, and transparency. Raise your voice and sign this petition to make Congress accountable for insider trading. Help us uphold the principles of our democracy and nurture trust in our lawmakers.