Joe Morelle: “I thank my longtime friend, the distinguished ranking member of the Rules Committee, for his vigorous defense of our…”

“I thank my longtime friend, the distinguished ranking member of the Rules Committee, for his vigorous defense of our position and his encouragement that people vote against the so-called SAVE America Act. Mr. Speaker, the way to enhance Americans' trust in government is by holding ourselves to a higher standard, not by disenfranchising citizens seeking to participate in our democracy. The vast majority of Americans believe that it is time to end the practice of Members of Congress and the President and Vice President from trading stocks, and that is what the Restore Trust in Government Act would do. Speaker Johnson has refused to move any bill to ban Member stock trading. I offered this proposal as an amendment to the SAVE America Act, but it was rejected by the majority. I also have a discharge petition on stock trading that has over 170 signatures, nearing the 218 signatures needed to pass the House. If we want Americans to trust us, to trust our government, we need to root out corruption, real corruption, not imaginary voter fraud. We have an opportunity to do that right here and right now. That is what the Restore Trust in Government Act would do. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to recognize the importance of the moment and to defeat the previous question. Once we do, the House can finally pass a stock trading ban. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.”