Congress Faces Scrutiny Over Stock Trading as Reform Gains Traction

On May 15, 2025, GovTrack.us highlighted growing concerns about conflicts of interest in Congress, spotlighting Rep. George Whitesides (CA27), who sold millions in stocks, including $100,002-$200,000 in defense contractors Lockheed Martin and RTX, to avoid conflicts as a member of the Armed Services Committee.

His spokesperson emphasized his commitment to combating government corruption.

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Conversely, Rep. Dwight Evans (PA3) violated the STOCK Act by belatedly disclosing $16,002-$65,000 in Amazon and Tesla stock sales, facing a nominal $200 fine.

Bipartisan proposals to ban legislators from holding stocks gained support from House Speaker Mike Johnson. Past misconduct, including former Rep. Chris Collins’ securities fraud conviction and President Trump’s complex financial dealings, underscores the issue.

Advocates argue that elected officials must prioritize transparency to maintain public trust.