Tennessee lawmaker blasts DC ‘sewer’ for out-of-control stock trading, claims Congress is scamming taxpayers to get rich

Core Points - The article discusses the ongoing issue of stock trading by members of Congress, highlighting the perceived conflicts of interest and the ineffectiveness of existing regulations like the STOCK Act [1][6] - Lawmakers from both parties express frustration over the prevalence of insider trading, with calls for stricter regulations or outright bans on stock trading by Congress members [2][3][6] Group 1: Legislative Context - The STOCK Act, signed into law in 2012, aims to prevent insider trading by requiring lawmakers to disclose stock trades within 45 days, but critics argue it lacks enforcement and often results in minimal penalties [1] - Public sentiment is increasingly against Congress members trading stocks, with representatives like Tim Burchett advocating for a complete ban on such activities [6] Group 2: Political Reactions - Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez emphasizes that insider trading in Congress exacerbates public cynicism towards the government, indicating a broader distrust in the political system [2][7] - Burchett's comments reflect a bipartisan concern, as he notes that numerous lawmakers engage in excessive trading, which he describes as a scam against the American public [3][4] Group 3: Public Sentiment - There is a growing frustration among the public regarding the perceived corruption and self-enrichment of Congress members through stock trading, with calls for reform gaining traction [4][6] - The article suggests that the issue of insider trading contributes to a larger narrative of distrust in government institutions, affecting public perception of lawmakers [2][7]