Ethics &
Accountability

Congressional Ethics

The Office of Congressional Ethics was established to work alongside and inform the House Committee on Ethics and the U.S. Senate Select Committee on Ethics. It is a vital independent watchdog positioned to help curb corruption within Congress and maintain the integrity of members. Learn more about our work to protect independent accountability bodies such as the Office of Congressional Ethics.

Featured Work

Stock exchange market chart, Stock market data on LED display. Business analysis concept.

Press releases

More than 40 former members of Congress call on Senate to pass ban on congressional stock trading

In a new letter released today, more than 40 former members of Congress are calling on the Senate to pass bipartisan legislation prohibiting members and their immediate family members from…

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.

Reports

The Ethics Blind Spot

How the House and Senate ethics committees fail to foster a culture of high ethical standards in Congress...

Read the press release. In “The Ethics Blind Spot,” Issue One analyzes and contrasts the case histories of the two ethics oversight bodies in the U.S. House of Representatives—the House…

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…

Featured Press

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Roll Call: Former members join the chorus calling to end congressional stock trading

ReFormers Caucus letter on congressional stock trading cited; ReFormers Caucus Co-chairs Tim Roemer and Zach Wamp quoted...

Raw Story: ‘Aren’t we a little more grown up than that?’: Ex-lawmaker rips Congress for ‘dog ate my homework’ excuses

ReFormers Caucus member Brian Baird quoted...

Issue One praises bipartisan effort to ban members of Congress from trading stocks

Roll Call: Advocacy groups denounce GOP proposals to ‘gut’ ethics office

Issue One Legislative Director Elise Wirkus cited...

The Latest on Congressional Ethics

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Jan 12, 2023

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…

Jan 04, 2023

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…

Jan 03, 2023

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…

Jan 03, 2023

In the media

Roll Call: Advocacy groups denounce GOP proposals to ‘gut’ ethics office

Issue One Legislative Director Elise Wirkus cited...

Apr 06, 2022

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…

Apr 06, 2022

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

Mar 04, 2022

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…

Feb 23, 2022

In the media

The Hill: Congressional stock trading ban must include spouses, lawmakers say

Cites Issue One panel about banning congressional stock trading

Feb 18, 2022

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…

Feb 14, 2022

In the media

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette: Congress wrestles with stock trading legislation

Quotes Legislative Director Elise Wirkus on congressional stock trading