Promises Broken: Lawmaker Who Pledged to Ban Stock Trading Now Trades Freely

Last March, Rob Bresnahan, Jr., a wealthy Republican candidate from Pennsylvania, boldly called for an end to stock trading by Congress members, voicing public frustrations over trust in politics. Fast forward two months post-election, he’s now among the most active stock traders in Congress, reporting 264 trades worth up to $4.73 million. While lawmakers across the aisle support a ban on such trading—which many voters back—Bresnahan has yet to co-sponsor any relevant legislation, despite once criticizing his Democratic opponent for the same.

Bresnahan’s post-election activities raise eyebrows, especially given recent trades in companies tied to his committee work, such as Caterpillar and Boeing. Critics, including Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington, argue his actions contradict campaign promises and demand accountability. The urgency for Congressional stock trading reforms has grown, particularly following allegations of insider trading related to the pandemic.

With recent vocal advocates like Abigail Spanberger departing, the future of this reform remains uncertain. As public sentiment strongly favors change, it’s a pivotal moment for leadership in ethics reform within Congress—the very ideals Bresnahan campaigned on. Will he rise to the occasion, or will his actions further erode trust in a system desperately needing restoration?