{"id":2572694,"date":"2026-02-23T16:20:02","date_gmt":"2026-02-23T21:20:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/nc-senate-hopeful-whatley-backs-congressional-stock-trading-ban\/"},"modified":"2026-02-23T16:22:30","modified_gmt":"2026-02-23T21:22:30","slug":"nc-senate-hopeful-whatley-backs-congressional-stock-trading-ban","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/nc-senate-hopeful-whatley-backs-congressional-stock-trading-ban\/","title":{"rendered":"NC Senate hopeful Whatley backs congressional stock trading ban"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"&quot;\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">18<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fnc-senate-hopeful-whatley-backs-congressional-stock-trading-ban%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2572694&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>Whatley backs congressional stock-trading ban as North Carolina Senate race heats up.<\/p>\n<p>&#8211; Republican candidate michael Whatley is calling for a ban on <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3YuVZYV\" >congressional stock trading<\/a>, arguing that public service should not be about personal profit. He supports divestment or placing assets in <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/this-is-a-free-market-pelosi-defends-congressional-stock-trading-in-face-of-report-detailing-ethics-violations\/\" title=\"\u2018This Is A Free Market\u2019: Pelosi Defends ... In Face Of Report Detailing Ethics Violations\">qualified blind trusts<\/a> to prevent conflicts of interest.<\/p>\n<p>&#8211; The stance is part of a broader national debate, with house Republicans pushing a bill that would bar new stock purchases by members while allowing existing holdings; Democrats say the proposals don\u2019t go far enough.<\/p>\n<p>&#8211; The issue has gained prominence due to concerns about access to nonpublic information and past trades by lawmakers, such as Nancy Pelosi\u2019s family trades and Richard Burr\u2019s 2020 stock sale (the latter a matter of investigation but ultimately cleared).<\/p>\n<p>&#8211; Cooper, the Democrat seen as Whatley\u2019s likely opponent, also supports banning stock trading by Congress and other federal officials, making the topic a shared talking point rather than a decisive differentiator.<\/p>\n<p>&#8211; The North Carolina race is highly watched and expected to be heavily funded by both parties as they vie for a senate majority in the 2026 cycle. Whatley has focused on consolidating GOP support and aligning with Trump on issues like border security, the economy, and government accountability.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<p><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><\/p>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-header-search-button-mob dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search\" aria-labelledby=\"td-header-search-button\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search-inner\">\n<form method=\"get\" class=\"tdb-search-form\" action=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/\"><\/form>\n<div class=\"tdb-aj-search\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/#\" role=\"button\" aria-label=\"Search\" class=\"tdb-head-search-btn dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<h1 class=\"tdb-title-text\">Whatley backs congressional stock trading ban as North Carolina Senate race heats up<\/h1>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-title-line\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div id=\"Brid_2365906\" class=\"tpd-featured-video bridtv\"><\/div>\n<p><strong>EXCLUSIVE &mdash;<\/strong> Republican <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/north-carolina\/\">North Carolina<\/a> Senate candidate <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/michael-whatley\/\">Michael Whatley<\/a> is calling for a ban on <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/4418575\/house-administration-banning-congressional-stock-trading-passes-committee\/\">congressional stock trading<\/a> as his race emerges as one of the most closely watched contests of <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/2026-election\/\">2026<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>In a statement shared first with the <em>Washington Examiner,<\/em> Whatley, who formerly served as chairman of the Republican National Committee, said members of Congress should be required to divest individual stocks or place assets into qualified blind trusts so as not to financially benefit while shaping federal policy.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<div class=\"recommended-stories\">\n<h2>Recommended Stories<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/4467247\/democrats-target-iowa-arizona-pennsylvania-races-flip\/\">Democrats target Iowa, Arizona, and Pennsylvania races as seats to flip<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/4466968\/shapiro-fetterman-dodges-endorsing-senator\/\">Shapiro details &#8216;constructive relationship&#8217; with Fetterman, dodges endorsing senator<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/4466010\/third-party-spoiler-new-hampshire-senate-race-unless-trump-ends-war-crypto\/\">Third-party spoiler threatens to upend New Hampshire Senate race unless Trump ends &#8216;war on Crypto&#8217;<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p>&ldquo;Public service should never be about personal profit,&rdquo; Whatley said, framing the proposal as a way to restore trust in government. &ldquo;If you&rsquo;re elected to serve, your duty is to the voters and not your portfolio. I support legislation requiring members of Congress and their families to divest individual stocks or place assets in qualified blind trusts.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>The issue has gained traction in Washington in recent months as lawmakers from both parties push competing plans to tighten rules around congressional trading. House Republicans <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/4414854\/house-administration-committee-bill-ban-congressional-stock-trading\/\">recently advanced legislation<\/a> that would prohibit members from buying new individual stocks while allowing them to keep existing holdings, a compromise that has drawn criticism from Democrats and ethics advocates who argue it does not go far enough.<\/p>\n<p>Debate over lawmakers involved in stock trading has simmered for years, fueled by scrutiny of financial disclosures and concerns that members of Congress could benefit from access to nonpublic information. Repeated efforts to impose stricter bans have stalled, even as polling shows broad public support for tighter restrictions.<\/p>\n<p>Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) has repeatedly faced criticism over <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/rep-tom-malinowski-faces-questions-regarding-his-stock-trading\/\" title=\"Rep. Tom Malinowski faces questions regarding his ...\">stock trades made<\/a> by her family that <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/kristi-noem-insists-she-loves-dogs-after-dog-killing-story-backlash\/\" title=\"Kristi Noem Affirms Love for Dogs Despite Backlash from Dog Killing Incident\">drew public attention<\/a> because of their timing and size. Former North Carolina Sen. Richard Burr (R-NC) also faced scrutiny after selling stocks in early 2020 shortly before the COVID-19 pandemic triggered a market downturn. Burr, who had access to classified intelligence briefings at the time, said his trades were based solely on public information. He was ultimately cleared in both criminal and civil investigations.<\/p>\n<p>Whatley&rsquo;s position is unlikely to create a sharp contrast in the race. Former North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper, the Democrat widely viewed as his likely opponent, <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.wral.com\/news\/nccapitol\/cooper-support-ban-stock-trades-congress-federal-officials-dec-2025\/\">has also expressed support for banning stock trading<\/a> by members of Congress and other federal officials.<\/p>\n<p>The race has already emerged as one of the most closely watched contests of the cycle, with both parties expected to pour significant resources into the state as they battle for control of the Senate. Republicans view the seat as critical to maintaining their majority, while Democrats see North Carolina as one of their strongest pickup opportunities.<\/p>\n<p><strong><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/4414854\/house-administration-committee-bill-ban-congressional-stock-trading\/\">HOUSE ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE TO MARK UP BILL BANNING CONGRESSIONAL STOCK TRADING <\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Whatley has spent the early months of the campaign consolidating support among GOP activists and donors, while <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/white-house\/4457705\/trump-pushes-michael-whatley-north-carolina-senate-fort-bragg\/\">aligning himself closely with President Donald Trump<\/a> and emphasizing troubles such as border security, economic growth, and government accountability.<\/p>\n<p>With both parties signaling support for trading restrictions, the issue is unlikely to define the race on its own. But it gives candidates another way to address voter skepticism about Washington and offers an early glimpse at how both sides are trying to frame accountability as the contest moves deeper into the 2026 cycle.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Whatley backs ban on congressional stock trading<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2657,"featured_media":2572695,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/AP26044686164639.jpg?w=696","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[538],"tags":[74397,74396,74394,74395,37838],"class_list":["post-2572694","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-washington-examiner","tag-congressional-reform-2","tag-ethics-reform-2","tag-nc-senate-2","tag-stock-trading-ban-2","tag-whatley"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/AP26044686164639.jpg?w=696","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2572694","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2657"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2572694"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2572694\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2572698,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2572694\/revisions\/2572698"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2572695"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2572694"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2572694"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2572694"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}