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
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
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…
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…
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…