

Petition to Ban Securities Trading for Anyone Currently Elected in Congress
The Issue
We, the undersigned, call for urgent action to address the growing issue of conflicts of interest within the United States Congress. For too long, elected officials—entrusted with access to sensitive information—have exploited their positions to further personal agendas, often to the detriment of the public trust.
Members of Congress hold significant authority in determining policy that shapes critical sectors of the economy, including awarding defense contracts, investigating antitrust issues, and crafting laws that have wide-reaching economic impacts. Unfortunately, many elected officials, as well as their immediate families, have used this power to engage in insider trading practices—buying and selling stocks and other securities based on private information regarding forthcoming legislation, regulations, or court rulings.
This has resulted in a disturbing trend where individuals earning a public salary of $174,000 can accumulate vast personal wealth—oftentimes in the millions or even tens of millions of dollars—by capitalizing on the very laws they are responsible for shaping. This undermines the integrity of our legislative process and fosters a system where personal gain takes precedence over the well-being of the American people.
To restore trust in our democratic institutions, we demand that Congress implement a strict ban on personal securities trading by all members of Congress and their immediate families for the duration of their terms in office. This essential reform will help eliminate conflicts of interest, promote transparency, and ensure that elected officials prioritize the needs of the public over personal financial gain.
We urge all lawmakers to support this measure and demonstrate a commitment to ethical governance that serves the interests of all Americans.
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The Issue
We, the undersigned, call for urgent action to address the growing issue of conflicts of interest within the United States Congress. For too long, elected officials—entrusted with access to sensitive information—have exploited their positions to further personal agendas, often to the detriment of the public trust.
Members of Congress hold significant authority in determining policy that shapes critical sectors of the economy, including awarding defense contracts, investigating antitrust issues, and crafting laws that have wide-reaching economic impacts. Unfortunately, many elected officials, as well as their immediate families, have used this power to engage in insider trading practices—buying and selling stocks and other securities based on private information regarding forthcoming legislation, regulations, or court rulings.
This has resulted in a disturbing trend where individuals earning a public salary of $174,000 can accumulate vast personal wealth—oftentimes in the millions or even tens of millions of dollars—by capitalizing on the very laws they are responsible for shaping. This undermines the integrity of our legislative process and fosters a system where personal gain takes precedence over the well-being of the American people.
To restore trust in our democratic institutions, we demand that Congress implement a strict ban on personal securities trading by all members of Congress and their immediate families for the duration of their terms in office. This essential reform will help eliminate conflicts of interest, promote transparency, and ensure that elected officials prioritize the needs of the public over personal financial gain.
We urge all lawmakers to support this measure and demonstrate a commitment to ethical governance that serves the interests of all Americans.
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Petition created on November 28, 2024