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
TV appearances
WFMJ-NBC (Youngstown, OH): Rep. Kelly’s office responds to ethics investigation
Quotes Legislative and Programs Counsel Danielle Caputo
Statements & press releases
Issue One statement on the House Democratic Caucus publicly releasing its rules
In response to the news that the House Democratic Caucus finally made their rules public after public interest groups, including Issue One, pushed for more than a year for their…
Podcast episodes
Swamp Stories Episode 9: Profiting from Public Service
“There’s no question members of Congress have access to information that the public does not have, therefore if you want transparency, if you want open hands and a clean…
Statements & press releases
Issue One statement: Corrupt insider trading in Congress undermines public trust
In response to the news that multiple U.S. senators sold stock after receiving classified briefings on the COVID-19 pandemic, Issue One Executive Director Meredith McGehee released the following statement: “This…
Statements & press releases
Issue One Statement on Congress Reaching a Deal on Sexual Harassment Overhaul
Following the news that, after months of negotiations, members of Congress reached a bicameral, bipartisan agreement to update its sexual harassment policy, Issue One Executive Director Meredith McGehee released the…
Sign-on letters
Broad coalition urges House of Representatives to update ethics rules to prohibit lawmakers from serving on boards of publicly traded companies
Issue One was joined today by 12 other organizations from across the ideological spectrum in urging all members of the House of Representatives to support a bipartisan resolution introduced last…
Statements & press releases
Issue One statement on indictment of Rep. Chris Collins (R-NY)
Following the indictment of Rep. Chris Collins (R-NY), Issue One Executive Director Meredith McGehee released the following statement: “The fact of the matter is that the prosecution of Rep. Chris…
Statements & press releases
The days of congressional harassers leaving taxpayers to foot the bill are numbered
In response to the House Ethics Committee’s statement today on the personal accountability of members of Congress that leave office after having paid harassment settlements with taxpayer money, as well…
Statements & press releases
Senator Menendez (D-NJ) deserves to be censured
In light of the Senate Ethics Committee severely admonishing Sen. Robert Menendez (D-NJ) for ethics violations, Issue One Executive Director Meredith McGehee issued the following statement: “It is a refreshing…
Statements & press releases
More than three years after the fact, House Ethics Committee punishes two Democrats who violated House rules
The House Ethics Committee this week publicly reproved two Illinois Democratic members of Congress—one for violating House rules and one for violating federal law. Each case was under review by…