Culpeper Star-Exponent: Culpeper-area community briefs for Oct. 31, 2023

U.S. Rep. Abigail Spanberger, D-7th, released a statement last week after the election of U.S. Rep. Mike Johnson (R-Louisiana) as Speaker of the House of Representatives.

“Congress has a long to-do list,” Spanberger said on Oct. 25. “We are now nearly three weeks out from a government shutdown that would devastate Virginia’s families, federal employees and economy, meaning it is urgent that we pass bipartisan legislation as soon as possible to keep the federal government open. We also need to pass a bipartisan 2023 Farm Bill, fund our troops, strengthen our border security and combat fentanyl. And we must provide strong support to our allies in Israel and Ukraine.”

On Friday, Spanberger called on Johnson to add another item to the to-do list — finally enacting a measure banning members of Congress from trading individual stocks. Her previously introduced bill, TRUST in Congress Act, would require members, as well as their spouses and dependent children, to put certain investment assets into a qualified blind trust during their entire tenure in Congress, effectively banning them from trading individual stocks.

“Prior to assuming the role of Speaker of the House, U.S. Representative Kevin McCarthy promised to hold a vote on legislation to ban Member stock trading,” said Spanberger. “Unfortunately, there was no significant movement on this issue … After weeks of dysfunction, our constituents are eager to see their elected officials working for them. Bringing forward legislation to ban Members of Congress from trading individual stocks will demonstrate this commitment — and the American people will thank you.”

Spanberger launched a survey last week asking Virginians if the new Speaker should bring a bill banning individual stock trading up for a vote. Of more than 1,750 Virginians who responded, more than 95% responded yes, according to a release from her office.