Congressional Reform
House Takes Step Toward Banning Stock Trading for Members of Congress
Lawmakers have reportedly begun requesting testimony from government watchdog groups.
Top Stories
Senators Cling to Fossil Fuel Stocks as World Heats Up
More than one in four senators is invested in the fossil fuel industry as the Senate strips major climate programs from the reconciliation bill.
The Secretive Group Steering the Dems
The Democratic caucus group that puts corporate Dems in key committee seats won't release its rules or disclose its members.
Manchin Removes Ethics Provisions From Democratic Reform Bill
Senate Democrats' Freedom to Vote Act would no longer strengthen conflict of interest rules that prevent members of Congress from working on legislation primarily for their own financial interests.
Lawmakers Benefit From Booming Defense Stocks
Here are the members of Congress who own stock in defense contractors like Lockheed Martin and Raytheon.
The Roadblocks to Banning Congress From Trading Stocks
Active stock traders Zoe Lofgren and Gary Peters chair the committees where bills banning congressional stock trades are being left to die.
Congress Won’t Stop Trading Stocks
Researchers studying congressional stock ownership have found that the practice has effects on lobbying activity and potentially on market movements.
With Endless Muck to Rake, Sludge Turns Three
Our nonprofit newsroom has stayed paywall-free, allowing our money-in-politics stories to be shared widely. We're asking more of our readers to help by becoming Sludge members.
Manchin’s Proposal Cuts Campaign Finance and Ethics Reforms From S1
Joe Manchin seeks to strip the For the People Act of a public campaign financing option, conflict of interest rules, and key criteria for preclearance of election procedures.
Groups Call on Congress: Fund Your Staff
The average Hill staffer stays for only about three years, with many moving to become lobbyists.