Joe Neguse: “first and foremost let me thank my distinguished colleague from Rhode Island, whose clarion call on this issue, his…”

“first and foremost let me thank my distinguished colleague from Rhode Island, whose clarion call on this issue, his demand to an end of corruption, an end to this outrageous practice of stock trading by Members of Congress, has inspired many of his colleagues who have joined the coalition that he is building in real time. I couldn't be more grateful to Representative Magaziner for his leadership and for championing this issue at such a critical time. I am grateful to be a partner with him in this effort. Our 26th President, Teddy Roosevelt, once said that no man who is corrupt, no man who tolerates corruption in others can do his duty by the community. That admonition rings true today. Four years ago, I led an effort to ban stock trading by Members of Congress, joined with colleagues on both sides of the aisle. For 4 years, we have tried to convince this Chamber to ban Members of Congress from trading stocks. Why? Members of Congress should be serving their communities, their constituents, and their country, not their stock portfolios. In that 4-year span, 48 months, 1,400 days, how many millions of dollars have Members of Congress in this body made from trading stocks? It is unconscionable. It is a practice that should have ended years ago.”