Nevadans Want a Ban on Stock Trading Among Members of Congress

A recent poll indicates that a bipartisan majority of Nevada voters support banning members of Congress and their families from trading individual stocks. Seventy-one percent of Nevadans favor this prohibition, slightly below the support in other swing states. Democrats are more supportive (77%) compared to Republicans (68%).

The survey, conducted by the Program for Public Consultation at the University of Maryland, involved 594 adults between July 10-19, with a margin of error of 4.6 percent. Pollster Steven Kull highlighted the strong and consistent support for the ban, noting public frustration that the measure still needs to be implemented.

Currently, Congress members must disclose their stock trades within 45 days. According to an analysis from Capitol Trades, Sen. Jacky Rosen and Rep. Susie Lee have reported trades over the past three years in Nevada. Lee, who has made 114 trades totaling $1.16 million, supports a stock trading ban. Rosen’s trades involved automatic exchanges and were related to retirement and joint accounts; her office stated she does not direct these transactions.

Rosen and Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto are cosponsors of the ETHICS Act, which would prohibit members of Congress and their families from trading individual stocks, with civil penalties for violations. Rep. Dina Titus supports a similar bill that would require Congress members and their families to divest their stocks or place them in a blind trust, allowing only mutual and index fund investments.

The poll also showed broad support for extending the stock trading ban to the president, vice president, and Supreme Court justices, with nearly 73 percent in favor. This proposal received more support from Democrats than Republicans but was favored by both parties. Support was highest among those with higher education and income levels.

Respondents generally found arguments for the ban more convincing than those against it, with over 80 percent agreeing that existing laws are inadequate. The consensus among poll participants was that members of Congress should adhere to similar trading restrictions as those imposed on individuals with insider information.