Democrats seek to ban lawmakers from trading stocks
By the AFREEQUE newsroom, based on Sowetan
US Democrats are preparing a ban on stock trading by members of Congress among their first legislative measures of 2027. Senator Brian Schatz and House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries present the measure as a response to criticism over political ethics, according to Sowetan.
US Democrats want to pass a ban on stock trading by members of Congress in the first weeks of January 2027, Democratic Senator Brian Schatz said on Thursday, quoted by Sowetan.
Hakeem Jeffries, House Democratic leader and expected to become its next speaker, has also made a ban on stock trading one of his legislative priorities. Republican Senator Josh Hawley said he supports the measure as well as other bipartisan initiatives, including an increase in the federal minimum wage and the restoration of funding for rural hospitals.
The Democrats, who are due to take control of Congress in January after their victories on November 3, also want to address voters’ concerns over the war in Iran, the cost of living and access to healthcare. Their Senator Brian Schatz said Democratic lawmakers in the House and Senate were still working on an agreement on the order of legislative priorities.
This ethics drive comes after Donald Trump asked JD Vance to target Democratic corruption, on November 12.
