(WHTM) — It’s not often Pennsylvania Republicans share a stage with Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY).
But that’s where Reps. Scott Perry (R-PA) and Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA) found themselves in their quest to ban stock trading by members of Congress and their families.
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“When many Americans say, ‘Why can’t any of you people get together on anything?’ up here you have the left and the right standing on the stage for the same issue, for the same cause, which should be an indicator to everybody that this is one of the times that the American people and Congress can get a win,” Perry said at a press conference support the ban.
A Senate committee approved a separate bill from Sen. Josh Hawley (R-MO) that would keep members of Congress and future vice presidents and presidents from trading stocks, carving out an exemption for President Donald Trump. The bill proposed in the House would only apply to Congress.
While not allowed to own stocks, members be allowed to own diversified mutual funds, ETFs and certain commodities. If passed, current lawmakers who own individual stocks and bonds would have 180 days to divest, and new members would have 90 days to divest upon taking office.
Pennsylvania Supreme Court 101: What it is, why it matters, and more
Proposals to ban stock trading among members of Congress is not new to Capitol Hill. For years, people have cited the practice as a potential conflict of interest.
A 2012 bill known as The Stock Act attempted to remedy this by requiring federal lawmakers to disclose their stock sales and purchases. No measure has gone further since.
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