There's something for everyone in this answer.

"So the counterargument is — and I have some sympathy — look, at least let them, like, engage in some stock trading, so that they can continue to, you know, take care of their family." https://t.co/V1qKlnxNGA

— bryan metzger (@metzgov) May 14, 2025

Basic run-down: Salaries have been suspended for 15 years. Congress members need to be able to trade some stocks to provide for their families. A ban will foster less qualified people participating in Congress.

Are you sympathetic to this argument, in any way?

I honestly do think they should be paid more and cut off from stock trading until they have finished serving.

oh no said:

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how about bureaucrats and politicians with access to inside info can invest in blind trusts and not individual stock trades?

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I think this is the way to handle it. And if their extended family has a sudden increase in wealth due to stock trading, it should be investigated. If it's due to insider info, they should face the same penalties as any other citizen.

It should be set up so that if the overall economy does well, they do well. If they are not doing well, they should make better policy decisions or be replaced by someone who will.

And term limits should definitely be a thing.

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Basic run-down: Salaries have been suspended for 15 years. Congress members need to be able to trade some stocks to provide for their families. A ban will foster less qualified people participating in Congress.

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So they are admitting they're doing insider trading. Since when has investing in the stock market been a sure thing. Well it's a sure thing if you know when to buy and when to sell. Even better if you control the activities that will determine the price of the stock

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And if their extended family has a sudden increase in wealth due to stock trading, it should be investigated

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My family member with a security clearance has to report any income over $10,000 that is not normal salary

They are paid $174,000 a year. Talk about waste fraud and abuse.
They do nothing but embarrass themselves on camera.

Is it even possible to have less qualified people in Congress? AOC, MTG, Omar, Talib, Hank Johnson, Boebert…. The list goes on and on.

democracy. people choose who represents them. every two years, they can be replaced if constituents in their district want to.

oh no said:

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Slicer97 said:

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It should be set up so that if the overall economy does well, they do well. If they are not doing well, they should make better policy decisions or be replaced by someone who will.

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S&P500 index funds only; all trades public.

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and trades should be made public same day. None of this 45 day waiting

Sid Farkas said:

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raise salaries for congressmen. Build em a dormitory on capital hill...and institute term (****ing) limits.

Problem solved

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This.

BCR said:

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They are paid $174,000 a year. Talk about waste fraud and abuse.
They do nothing but embarrass themselves on camera.

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They make good money, but they also have to spend a ton of time in DC while also maintaining a residence in their home state. They get reimbursed for travel and some other expenses, but I think they were on the hook for lodging in DC until 2023 or 2024. A lot of representatives would room together and some even slept in their offices. TLDR is that even if they're making good money, there're a lot of expenses that come with being in Congress. These are also people who could, mostly, be making a lot more somewhere else.

oh no said:

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how about bureaucrats and politicians with access to inside info can invest in blind trusts and not individual stock trades?

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Lets make each politician's trading account become a mutual fund that the rest of us can invest in. That way we all benefit from their inside information.

I would gladly invest in the Pelosi and Eye Patch-McCain mutual funds.

Use this calculator to see how the salary compares to your hometown.

https://www.forbes.com/advisor/mortgages/real-estate/cost-of-living-calculator/


The standard of living you can have in DC for $174K, can be had for about $102K in Amarillo

Conversely, the lifestyle $174K would buy in Amarillo would require $296K in DC

ABATTBQ11 said:

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BCR said:

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They are paid $174,000 a year. Talk about waste fraud and abuse.
They do nothing but embarrass themselves on camera.

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They make good money, but they also have to spend a ton of time in DC while also maintaining a residence in their home state. They get reimbursed for travel and some other expenses, but I think they were on the hook for lodging in DC until 2023 or 2024. A lot of representatives would room together and some even slept in their offices. TLDR is that even if they're making good money, there're a lot of expenses that come with being in Congress. These are also people who could, mostly, be making a lot more somewhere else.

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A family member of mine works for a major consulting company. Most of their clients are publicly traded. He has major restrictions on what he can and can't invest in to avoid insider trading. The government should be no different. Of course, government policies can impact EVERY company. But I think they should be allowed to "invest" in index funds and the like. Just no individual stocks, commodities, etc.

ABATTBQ11 said:

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BCR said:

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They are paid $174,000 a year. Talk about waste fraud and abuse.
They do nothing but embarrass themselves on camera.

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They make good money, but they also have to spend a ton of time in DC while also maintaining a residence in their home state. They get reimbursed for travel and some other expenses, but I think they were on the hook for lodging in DC until 2023 or 2024. A lot of representatives would room together and some even slept in their offices. TLDR is that even if they're making good money, there're a lot of expenses that come with being in Congress. These are also people who could, mostly, be making a lot more somewhere else.

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I am going to go out on a limb here and say that not all those expenses are absolutely necessary. If they can make more money elsewhere, then go do it. No one forced them to serve public office, they ran for public office so they should accept all the responsibility, including financial implications. The system is broken.

lb3 said:

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oh no said:

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how about bureaucrats and politicians with access to inside info can invest in blind trusts and not individual stock trades?

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Lets make each politician's trading account become a mutual fund that the rest of us can invest in. That way we all benefit from their inside information.

I would gladly invest in the Pelosi and Eye Patch-McCain mutual funds.

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Just download the autopilot app. My favorite is anti-Cramer and Pelosi. You're welcome.

you lock down any and all additional ways for congressman to make money. the idea of serving in govt is as a limited appt/ to serve the people, a sacrifice not a money making scheme.

you do this and you don't need term
limits even though i support them.

CanyonAg77 said:

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Malibu said:

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Ive been really worried about the children of Congressmen waiting in breadlines and am glad the Speaker is taking care of our humble public servants.

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Every once in a while you slip up and say something that conservatives can appreciate.

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Having bantered with Malibu for a long time, I certainly have massive disagreements on many things. But he's consistent in his worldview and absolutely reasonable on many things.

Hoyt Ag said:

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lb3 said:

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oh no said:

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how about bureaucrats and politicians with access to inside info can invest in blind trusts and not individual stock trades?

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Lets make each politician's trading account become a mutual fund that the rest of us can invest in. That way we all benefit from their inside information.

I would gladly invest in the Pelosi and Eye Patch-McCain mutual funds.

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Just download the autopilot app. My favorite is anti-Cramer and Pelosi. You're welcome.

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The problem is that congressmen have up to 45 days to report their stock transactions. Wars can be started and ended in less time.

I say we go a different direction. We should offer to match up to 10x what they make in investments, but only those in which the government has 0 involvement in.

Your Honor, yes I was doing insider trading, but you have to consider that I have to provide for my family!


I wonder how that would fly in court...