House Speaker Mike Johnson supports a stock trading ban for US lawmakers
House Speaker Mike Johnson said Wednesday he is supportive of ongoing efforts on Capitol Hill to ban lawmakers from trading stocks, even as he expressed sympathy for opponents of the idea and didn't say whether he will bring up the effort for a House vote.
"You want me to tell you my honest opinion on that?" he said to reporters Wednesday. "I'm in favor of it because I don't think we should have any appearance of impropriety here."
But Johnson quickly offered caveats in a nuanced answer, noting, "I understand people that have misgivings about that," while not saying whether a vote would be in the offing.
"We'll see where it lands," he concluded.
The comments come as some lawmakers again push efforts to ban the controversial practice of congressional stock trading, with other lawmakers again under scrutiny for trading during recent market volatility.
Johnson had previously avoided taking a position on the issue, with his new comments coming as varied efforts to enact a ban gain bipartisan support.
One bill, called the TRUST in Congress Act, would require lawmakers and their spouses and children to place certain assets into blind trusts. The bill currently has 72 co-sponsors, with 60 Democrats and 12 Republicans supportive.
But supporters have been reintroducing this bill for years, only to see previous efforts fail to secure a vote.
Another newer effort this year getting attention is called the No Corruption in Government Act, which would prohibit insider trading and also address congressional lobbying.
Johnson didn't express support for any bill in particular, but said on Wednesday, "On balance, my view is we probably should do that because I think it's been abused in the past and I think sadly a few bad actors discolored it for everyone."
Any new effort would build upon the 2012 STOCK Act, which made clear that insider trading by members of Congress is banned and required trades to be reported. The act has been criticized for not penalizing lawmakers who don't comply with the reporting requirements.
Another prominent supporter of the effort is President Trump, who has repeatedly said he would sign a ban if it reaches his desk. He most recently weighed in during an interview with Time last month.
"I would be okay with it," he said. "If they send that to me, I would do it."
Ben Werschkul is a Washington correspondent for Yahoo Finance.
Click here for political news related to business and money policies that will shape tomorrow's stock prices
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Axios
8 minutes ago
- Axios
Trump administration briefed lawmakers before Israeli strikes
Trump administration officials provided classified briefings for congressional leaders before Israel struck Iran yesterday, with more planned for next week when lawmakers return to Washington, Axios has learned. Why it matters: Briefing key lawmakers is a matter of protocol. But it's also a way for the White House to guard against second-guessing from Congress, especially if U.S. forces are targeted by Iran and the conflict turns into a broader war. In briefings with senior members of Congress, White House officials have told them the administration isn't involved and doesn't think Israel attacking Iran is the appropriate thing to do at the moment, a U.S. official told Axios' Barak Ravid. Driving the news: Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.), Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) and Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) received briefings before the strikes began, according to people familiar with the matter. "Pursuant to federal law, I expect to receive a high-level briefing on the unfolding situation in the Middle East from the administration expeditiously," House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) said in a statement. "However, in advance of that briefing, there are core principles that remain foundational in the Middle East theater, one of the toughest neighborhoods in the world," Jeffries said. Zoom in: Members of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence expect to be briefed by administration officials when senators return to Washington Monday afternoon, according to a person familiar with the matter. Senate Intel staff were briefed this morning, with a second briefing planned for this afternoon. Zoom out: The White House wants to ensure that Congress has real-time and accurate information on Israeli's strikes against Iran as well as Iranian response. In public, Trump officials have been clear that the U.S. did not participate In Israel's first round of attacks, which targeted Iran's military leadership and its nuclear facilities. What they're saying: Many lawmakers voiced their support for Israel, but others raised their concerns about where the conflict might head. "I applaud the bravery and audacity of Prime Minister Netanyahu, the IDF, and the Mossad. And I commend President Trump for his consistent support for Israel and opposition to Iran's nuclear program," Sen. Tom Cotton (R-Ark.), the Senate Intel Chair, said on X. Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), the ranking member on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee said: "Israel's strikes against Iran represent an escalation that is deeply concerning and will inevitably invite counterattacks."
Yahoo
9 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Trump death threats emerge amid Los Angeles riots; Secret Service aware
The U.S. Secret Service confirmed Thursday that it is "aware" of threatening "Kill Trump" graffiti messages spray-painted around the city of Los Angeles during this week's riots. A spokesman for the protective agency would not confirm whether an investigation is underway but did say that it knows of the violent messaging directed at both President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance. The messaging was seen in the city's downtown area amid civil unrest following Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE) arrests of criminal illegal immigrants. "Burn it all down," one said, with "Kill Trump" graffitied below it. Federal Officials Slam Democrats For 'Dangerous' Rhetoric As Ice Agents Face Violent Mobs In La, Nyc "Kill Trump," the other said, with "JD Vance" spray-painted below. Read On The Fox News App Last weekend, clashes between rioters and police erupted in Paramount, California, after ICE conducted arrest operations targeting illegal immigrants with criminal records. The riots quickly spread to Los Angeles, where the Los Angeles Police Department faced down bad actors of their own. Vehicles were set ablaze, property was covered with anti-ICE and anti-Trump graffiti, and stores were broken into and looted during the unrest. Los Angeles Business Owners 'Sick And Tired' Of 'Stupid' Anti-ice Rioters Looting Their Stores Trump activated the California National Guard and U.S. Marines. He has been in a legal battle with Gov. Gavin Newsom over control of the National Guard. Other federal law enforcement agencies have also turned their attention to the city amid the tension. FBI Director Kash Patel warned those who commit violence against police, saying "if you assault a law enforcement officer, you're going to jail—period." "It doesn't matter where you came from, how you got here, or what cause you claim to represent," Patel told Fox News Digital. "If local jurisdictions won't stand behind the men and women who wear the badge, the FBI will." Hundreds have been arrested since the riots began last weekend. The Trump administration, which says it has arrested criminal illegal immigrants who have been convicted of murder, sex crimes against children and battery, is continuing its ICE operations. "Murderers, pedophiles, and drug traffickers. These are the types of criminal illegal aliens that rioters are fighting to protect. How much longer will Governor Newsom and Mayor Karen Bass continue to prioritize these criminal illegal aliens over their own citizens?" Department of Homeland Security Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin said in a statement on Wednesday. "Secretary Noem has a message to the LA rioters: you will not stop us or slow us down. ICE will continue to enforce the law and arrest criminal illegal aliens," McLaughlin added. Fox News' Alexandra Koch and Cameron Arcand contributed to this report. Original article source: Trump death threats emerge amid Los Angeles riots; Secret Service aware
Yahoo
9 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Young voters give Trump mixed grades in NY Times survey, but majority say US will be ‘better' in four years
Many of the young voters recently surveyed in a New York Times focus group gave President Donald Trump passing grades for his term so far, with a majority of those asked saying they believe the country will be better off once he's done with it. The Times spoke to 13 voters in their 20s about how they feel about "the way things are going in the country these days" – a topic area that included their thoughts on artificial intelligence, social media, the economy, the current political climate, and the future. While many expressed worry about the current state of the country, eight said they believe Trump is doing fine, and seven said the country will be better off in four years. "I like how stern he is, how focused he is on at least trying to get something done," a 23-year-old Latino and Republican voter named Evan said of Trump. "But I mean, I feel as though Trump actually cares about creating change. Pep in his step, at least. Biden was, like, a Sleepy Joe." Fox News Poll: The First 100 Days Of President Trump's Second Term The Times asked these 13 20-somethings, "Do you think things will be better, worse or the same four years from now?" Seven of them agreed that things "will be better," three said things "will be worse," and three said they would remain "the same." One of the more optimistic individuals was a 27-year-old woman and Democratic voter named Jonnie. Read On The Fox News App She told the Times, "I just think this administration will stabilize. I think it's scaring a lot of people. Maybe I'm just being hopeful, too. But I think inflation will probably be better by then. I can't imagine this direction forever. I think things will just stabilize." Young Americans Sour On Congressional Democrats, New Poll Finds Evan told the paper he thinks things will be better because the Trump administration will do a better job the second time around. "I would just hope they'll learn from their past mistakes. After four years, if you don't get better or something, then what are you doing? So I would just hope," he said. However, a Democratic voter from Texas named Bayleigh told The Times she believes things will remain as chaotic as she says things have been. "It'll be the end of Trump's administration, but I think the instability will remain consistent through the next four years," Bayleigh said. Later in the survey, the outlet asked the 13 individuals to give Trump a letter grade. No one gave him an A, but five of them – three Republicans and two independents – gave him a B. Three of them – two independents and one Democratic voter – gave him a C. One Republican and a Democrat gave him a D, and a Democratic voter named Molly gave him his only F out of the group. Click Here For More Coverage Of Media And Culture The Times asked Darrion, a Republican from Indiana, why he gave a Trump a C. "I think it's a little bit positive and negative," Darrion said. "I'm positive in the sense that I like the way he's portraying the image of America on an international scale, like the trade wars, tariffs and all that. And negatively because of his impact in cryptocurrency and the stock market." Jonnie, the Democratic voter who gave Trump a C, told the outlet, "Nothing horrible has happened, really. I guess that makes it OK. But at the same time, tariffs and stuff — I don't like that."Original article source: Young voters give Trump mixed grades in NY Times survey, but majority say US will be 'better' in four years
