policy
Stopping members of Congress from trading stocks
When members of Congress trade stock while in office, they abuse the public trust. Our laws need to be strengthened to correct weaknesses dealing with insider trading.
Ethics &
Accountability
Congressional Ethics
The current House and Senate Ethics Committees, characterized by lax interpretations of ethics rules, timid approaches to enforcement, and opaque decision-making, fail to foster a culture of high standards. This undermines public confidence in the integrity of one of the key institutions of our democratic republic. Learn more about our work to strengthen independent accountability bodies such as the Office of Government Ethics.
Featured Press
The Latest on Congressional Ethics
Sign-on letters
Members of Issue One’s Bipartisan ReFormers Caucus Urge House Leadership and Ethics Committee Leadership to Conduct a Thorough Investigation into Rep. George Santos and to Codify the Office of Congressional Ethics
We as members of Issue One’s ReFormers Caucus — a bipartisan coalition made up of nearly 200 former members of Congress, governors, and Cabinet officials — urge the House Committee…
Sign-on letters
Issue One joins more than 25 groups in support of strengthening and codifying the Office of Congressional Ethics into law
Issue One joined more than 25 groups this week in urging Congress to strengthen and codify the Office of Congressional Ethics (OCE) into law. The letter opposes the recently passed…
Press releases
Issue One praises bipartisan effort to ban members of Congress from trading stocks
Issue One today applauded the bipartisan reintroduction of the TRUST in Congress Act, a bill that would prohibit members of Congress, their spouses, and their children from buying and selling…
Press releases
Issue One joins broad coalition urging Congress to strengthen, not weaken, congressional ethics watchdog
Issue One today joined a broad coalition of two dozen organizations in urging Congress to strengthen, not weaken, the Office of Congressional Ethics (OCE). The new letter warns that changes…
Press releases
Proposed rule gutting House Office of Congressional Ethics is a “shameful and cynical move,” says Issue One Legislative Director Elise Wirkus
Following proposed changes to House rules that would significantly weaken the Office of Congressional Ethics (OCE), Issue One Legislative Director Elise Wirkus released the following statement: “The Office of Congressional…
In the media
Roll Call: Advocacy groups denounce GOP proposals to ‘gut’ ethics office
Issue One Legislative Director Elise Wirkus cited...
Press releases
37 former members of Congress call for ban on congressional stock trading
“The moment has come to close loopholes and ensure Americans know their Members are working for them,” letter states...
In a new letter released today, more than three dozen members of Issue One’s ReFormers Caucus — the largest group of its kind ever assembled to fix our broken political system…
In the media
Insider: Ban federal lawmakers and their family members from trading stocks, 37 former lawmakers tell Congress
Story on our new ReFormers Caucus letter, signed by 37 former members, calling on Congress to ban representatives and their immediate family members from trading stocks while in office
In the media
Issue One in the news: February 2022 media mentions recap
Our “Fair Pay” report on low congressional staff pay continued to grab headlines as reporters covered the challenging environment facing many junior staffers on Capitol Hill. Founder and CEO Nick Penniman appeared…
In the media
The Hill: Congressional stock trading ban must include spouses, lawmakers say
Cites Issue One panel about banning congressional stock trading