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NewsweekJAN 20
Pelosi Discloses AI Stock Trades
Above: Rep. Nancy Pelosi speaks at the US Capitol on Feb. 13, 2024. Image copyright: Al Drago/Contributor/Bloomberg via Getty Images
The Spin
Establishment-critical narrative
Congress should be barred from trading stocks, if for no other reason than polls show that the vast majority of Americans, across party lines, support a ban because lawmakers have an unfair advantage due to their access to sensitive information. This undermines public trust, so to preserve democracy, Congress must prioritize ethics over personal financial gain.
Pro-establishment narrative
In a free market economy, members of Congress should be allowed to trade stocks. Banning lawmakers from the market would shield them from the real-world impact of their decisions, creating a disconnect from the economic realities faced by everyday Americans. The US should prioritize stronger enforcement of pre-existing regulations, ensuring transparency and accountability.