It seems like a given that members of Congress shouldn't be allowed to invest in the very industries they oversee. Yet, they do just that. In 2021, 54 members of Congress and at least 182 top staff members violated the STOCK Act, which requires that members disclose financial trades within 90 days.

In 2020, 75 lawmakers held stocks in vaccine producers Moderna, Johnson & Johnson, or Pfizer. Most of those trades happened in the early weeks of the pandemic. Fifteen Congress members that have a hand in molding defense policy invest in military contractors. Over a dozen members in key roles shaping energy policy invest in fossil fuel corporations. The list goes on.

The Ending Trading and Holdings in Congressional Stocks (ETHICS) Act would prohibit members of Congress, their spouses, and dependent minors from owning or trading stocks, commodities, or futures. The Senate version of the bill is sponsored by Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.) and has the support of over 20 lawmakers, while companion legislation is sponsored by Reps. Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-Ill.) and Michael Cloud (R-Texas) in the House.

Three in four voters agree that members of Congress should be banned from trading stock. Lawmakers are in Congress to serve, not to gain an unfair advantage in the stock market.

Sign the petition: Members of Congress should not be allowed to own or trade individual stock.