How Members of Congress Have Cashed In On Their Jobs: A Special Investigative Report

Members of Congress are supposed to represent the interests of their constituents, but a special investigative report has found that many have used their positions to enrich themselves and their families.

Democracy Inc.: How Members of Congress Have Cashed In On Their Jobs (Special Investigative Report)

by The Washington Post

4 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	4037 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	133 pages
Lending	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Item Weight	:	1.38 pounds
Dimensions	:	5.91 x 1.44 x 8.66 inches

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The report, which was conducted by the Center for Responsive Politics, found that members of Congress have:

• Traded stocks and other financial assets based on non-public information they obtained in their official capacities.
• Accepted campaign contributions from special interests and then taken actions that benefited those interests.
• Used their positions to secure jobs and other benefits for their family members and friends.
• Lobbied on behalf of special interests after leaving office.

The report provides specific examples of each of these types of misconduct. For example, it found that:

• In 2012, Senator Richard Burr (R-NC) sold shares of a medical device company just days before the company announced disappointing earnings. Burr had been briefed on the company's financial performance by its CEO just weeks earlier.
• In 2014, Representative Darrell Issa (R-CA) accepted $20,000 in campaign contributions from a group of real estate developers. Issa then introduced legislation that would have benefited the developers.
• In 2016, Representative Michael McCaul (R-TX) used his position as chairman of the House Homeland Security Committee to secure a job for his wife at a cybersecurity company.
• In 2017, former Representative Billy Long (R-MO) lobbied on behalf of a coal company after leaving office. Long had previously received campaign contributions from the company.

These are just a few examples of the many ways that members of Congress have cashed in on their jobs. The report concludes that this type of misconduct is widespread and that it has eroded public trust in Congress.

The report makes a number of recommendations for reforms to address this problem, including:

• Prohibiting members of Congress from trading stocks and other financial assets based on non-public information.
• Banning campaign contributions from special interests.
• Closing the revolving door between Congress and lobbying.
• Increasing transparency and accountability in Congress.

These reforms are essential to restoring public trust in Congress and ensuring that members of Congress are working in the best interests of their constituents, not their own.

The Center for Responsive Politics' special investigative report provides clear evidence that members of Congress have been using their positions to enrich themselves and their families. This type of misconduct is widespread and it has eroded public trust in Congress. The report makes a number of recommendations for reforms to address this problem, and these reforms should be implemented as soon as possible.

Democracy Inc.: How Members of Congress Have Cashed In On Their Jobs (Special Investigative Report)

by The Washington Post

4 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	4037 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	133 pages
Lending	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Item Weight	:	1.38 pounds
Dimensions	:	5.91 x 1.44 x 8.66 inches

FREE