Trump blasts Hawley over congressional stock trading ban

The article covers former president Donald Trump’s criticism of Senator Josh Hawley (R-MO) regarding Hawley’s support for a bill that would ban members of Congress, including the president and vice president, from trading or holding stocks while in office. Trump expressed frustration that Hawley joined Democrats in blocking a review of Nancy Pelosi’s stock trading history, accusing Hawley of siding with Democrats and harming Republican interests. The bill, known as the Preventing Elected Leaders from Owning Securities and Investments Act (PELOSI Act), aims to prevent insider trading and restore public trust. Despite some GOP opposition, Hawley pushed the legislation forward with Democratic support. The White House reportedly lobbied against including the executive branch in the bill. Anti-corruption groups have praised the bill, emphasizing the need to end conflicts of interest among lawmakers. Hawley called for bipartisan cooperation to improve the bill and criticized Senate leadership for not bringing it to a floor vote.


Trump blasts Hawley over congressional stock trading ban: ‘Second-tier Senator’

President Donald Trump excoriated Sen. Josh Hawley (R-MO) over his support for banning members of Congress and the president and vice president from trading or holding stocks while in office.

“Why would one ‘Republican,’ Senator Josh Hawley from the Great State of Missouri, join with all of the Democrats to block a Review, sponsored by Senator Rick Scott [(R-FL)], and with the support of almost all other Republicans, of [Rep. Nancy Pelosi’s (D-CA)] Stock Trading over the last 25 years,” Trump fumed on Truth Social Wednesday afternoon.

The White House had allegedly lobbied senators against Hawley’s Preventing Elected Leaders from Owning Securities and Investments Act, which would prohibit members from trading individual stocks. Trump has previously said that former House Speaker Pelosi should be investigated for insider trading.

The White House’s Office of Legislative Affairs reportedly pushed back against the bill’s inclusion of the executive branch ahead of a committee vote on Wednesday, claiming it was a “last-minute deal.”

Trump echoed that line of attack during his rant against the Missouri senator.

“The information was inappropriately released just minutes before the Vote — Very much like SABOTAGE! The Democrats, because of our tremendous ACHIEVEMENTS and SUCCESS, have been trying to ‘Target’ me for a long period of time, and they’re using Josh Hawley, who I got elected TWICE, as a pawn to help them,” he wrote.

“I wonder why Hawley would pass a Bill that Nancy Pelosi is in absolute love with — He is playing right into the dirty hands of the Democrats. It’s a great Bill for her, and her ‘husband,’ but so bad for our Country!” Trump continued. “I don’t think real Republicans want to see their President, who has had unprecedented success, TARGETED, because of the ‘whims’ of a second-tier Senator named Josh Hawley!”

Earlier on Wednesday, Hawley took a mini victory lap after Trump told reporters he was in favor of the PELOSI Act “conceptually.” Pelosi herself later came out in support of the bill despite its title.

Hawley faced criticism from GOP colleagues Wednesday morning when he relied upon only Democrats to advance his measure from the Senate Homeland Security and Government Affairs Committee. Hawley was the sole Republican to vote with Democrats to advance the legislation out of the committee in an 8-7 vote.

The senator denied reports that the White House quietly lobbied against it, saying he received no such pushback from officials or Trump.

“If somebody really, genuinely wants to improve the bill, I’m happy to tweak it, work with people. We’ve worked on this for years,” Hawley said. “But if they just want to kill it, I’m not interested in that.”

Hawley called Senate Majority Leader John Thune’s (R-SD) unwillingness to bring it to a floor vote a “disappointment.” Thune cited the lack of broader support from Republicans.

“The president just endorsed it from the White House. He might want to talk to the president,” Hawley said in the hours before Trump’s criticism.

Support for banning members of Congress from trading stock remains high among the public. Anti-corruption groups championed the passage of the PELOSI Act out of committee.

TRUMP CALLS FOR PELOSI INVESTIGATION OVER INSIDER TRADING: ‘DISGRACEFUL’

“Today’s bipartisan vote – with all Democratic members voting yes – shows the urgency and necessity of this fight to restore public trust, and ensure members of Congress are voting in the best interests of working families, not advancing their own stock portfolios,” said Emma Lydon, managing director of P Street, which leads a coalition of anti-corruption and ethics groups focused on passing a stock trading ban.

“Anyone voting against this opportunity to hold insiders accountable is aligning themselves with a broken system. Members of Congress should act now to end this shameful corruption and pass this bill into law,” Lydon added.

Hailey Bullis contributed to this report.


Read More From Original Article Here: Trump blasts Hawley over congressional stock trading ban

" Conservative News Daily does not always share or support the views and opinions expressed here; they are just those of the writer."
*As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Back to top button
Available for Amazon Prime
Close

Adblock Detected

Please consider supporting us by disabling your ad blocker