Lawmakers' Stock Portfolios Outperform Market, Raising Ethical Concerns

A new report reveals significant financial gains by members of Congress in 2024, as efforts to ban stock trading in office remain stalled.

A report by Unusual Whales shows that Democratic lawmakers' portfolios gained an average of 31% in 2024, while Republicans saw 26% growth, both exceeding the S&P 500's 24.9% rise.
Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi's household investments, managed by her husband, posted a 70.9% gain, drawing criticism for her opposition to stock trading bans.
The report highlights potential conflicts of interest, including trades in defense and tech stocks by lawmakers overseeing relevant policies and contracts.
Despite the 2012 STOCK Act requiring financial disclosures, enforcement remains lax, and no member of Congress has been charged under the law to date.
Public support for banning congressional stock trading remains high, with President Biden recently endorsing such a measure for the first time.