Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez surprised many on Wednesday by joining Republicans in calling for a ban on stock trading by members of Congress. Brought to the podium by Rep. Tim Burchett (R-Tenn.), who greeted her with a fist bump, AOC emphasized the bipartisan support for the issue.<\/p>\n
She recalled early conversations about money in politics and stressed that elected officials should prioritize the interests of their constituents above personal financial gain. \u201cWe are here first and foremost to do the job that the public has sent us to do,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
AOC praised the collaborative effort behind the proposed legislation, saying it was a rare moment in Washington where working together genuinely strengthened the bill. \u201cIt feels foreign, and it feels alien,\u201d she noted, adding that setting aside disagreements to focus on common ground can restore faith in government.<\/p>\n
The proposed law, called the PELOSI Act, targets the practice of stock trading by lawmakers, a practice that has come under scrutiny due to the wealth of figures like former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. Pelosi and her husband reportedly have a net worth exceeding \\$245 million, largely from successful stock investments. Critics have accused her of insider trading\u2014an illegal practice she denies.<\/p>\n
Ocasio-Cortez expressed hope that the bill would soon come to a vote and said banning members of Congress from trading individual stocks would help make the institution more trustworthy and focused on the American people, urging lawmakers to stand against powerful interests.<\/p>\n