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
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
Event Recaps
Bipartisan panel with Reps. Roy and Spanberger discusses why it’s time to ban stock trading by members of Congress
Conversation hosted by Issue One, National Taxpayers Union, and Project On Government Oversight also featured former Reps. Brian Baird (D-WA) and Zach Wamp (R-TN)...
Issue One joined today with the National Taxpayers Union (NTU) and the Project On Government Oversight (POGO) to host a bipartisan panel about why it’s time to ban stock trading…
In the media
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette: Congress wrestles with stock trading legislation
Quotes Legislative Director Elise Wirkus on congressional stock trading
In the media
Issue One in the news: January 2022 media mentions recap
It was a busy start to the year for Issue One. Press highlights included the release of our congressional staff pay report, which was covered exclusively by Roll Call and also reported on by CNN, Politico, NBC…
Press releases
Issue One applauds introduction of legislation to combat insider trading in Congress
Issue One Founder and CEO Nick Penniman praised this week’s introduction of the Ban Congressional Stock Trading Act by Senators Jon Ossoff (D-GA) and Mark Kelly (D-AZ), which would ban…
Podcast episodes
Swamp Stories Episode 34: Trading the Public’s Trust
In 2012, President Barack Obama signed into law the Stop Trading on Congressional Knowledge Act, otherwise known as the STOCK Act. The intent was to ban insider trading from members…
TV appearances
WFMJ-NBC (Youngstown, OH): Rep. Kelly’s office responds to ethics investigation
Quotes Legislative and Programs Counsel Danielle Caputo