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February 10, 2012 in Nation/World
House passes ethics bill banning insider trading
‘Political intelligence’ brokering excluded
WASHINGTON – The House passed a sweeping new ethics bill that bans lawmakers from using insider information for personal gain, but Republican leaders came under criticism for softening the legislation in a way that some view as beneficial to Wall Street investors.
Democrats joined Republicans to give the bill overwhelming support – it passed 417-2 – as lawmakers have been eager to show voters they are holding themselves to tough ethical standards.
The Senate also gave nearly unanimous approval to a different version of the bill last week.
The legislation prohibits lawmakers and executive branch officials from using information they learn on the job, if it is not known publicly, in their personal financial transactions.
But the decision by House Majority Leader Eric Cantor, R-Va., to exclude a provision that sought to monitor the flow of “political intelligence” – a relatively newly defined practice of selling Washington information largely to financial investors – puts the legislation on an uncertain path.
The Senate bill required those who broker in political intelligence to register much the way lobbyists must do.
“What a sorry – but telling – display,” said Craig Holman, a lobbyist for Public Citizen, a government watchdog group.
“The Republican leadership’s weakening of legislation banning congressional insider trading reflects its commitment to the hedge funds and Wall Street interests.”
GOP leaders stood by their decision to dash the provision, which had been added to the Senate bill by Sen. Charles Grassley, R-Iowa. House Republicans instead opted to have the issue studied.
Grassley called House GOP leadership “extremely disappointing.” The different versions of the bills must be resolved if they are to become law – an uncertain prospect.
The overwhelming support for the bills came after news reports, including a “60 Minutes” episode, drew attention to lawmakers’ personal financial activities.
One addition the GOP leaders made to the House bill, the so-called “Pelosi Provision,” stemmed from the news show’s investigation into the business dealings of Rep. Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif.
The provision would bar lawmakers from using insider information to act on initial public offerings, or IPOs, after Pelosi’s husband purchased Visa stock before Congress considered credit card-related legislation.
Stocks plummet as outlook in Europe dims 
DHF on February 10 at 5:31 a.m.
Those people Dem’s and Repub’s dont represent the people . The only people that they care about is themselves and how much cash that they can stuff into their pockets. That is more of a reason that we need a change and I hope we start at the next election. What a disgusting lot of humanity.
richardch on February 10 at 7:12 a.m.
Yes, and the worst example of crony capitalism is in the white house.
Diana on February 10 at 7:33 a.m.
Really, richardch? Will you provide a credible source for that assertion?
stitch on February 10 at 8:29 a.m.
“Republican leaders came under criticism for softening the legislation in a way that some view as beneficial to wall street investors”
Big surprise, the GOP has turned a deaf ear to this proposed legislation in it’s various forms for many a year.. Eric Cantor is attempting once again to Sabotage.. Guess a 412-2 vote doesn’t mean diddly when a Majority Leader has the power to put the “legislation on an uncertain path”
richardch: Diana and I are waiting..
misjustice on February 10 at 7:37 p.m.
Stitch, ya beat me to it….
“Republican leaders came under criticism for softening the legislation in a way that some view as beneficial to Wall Street investors.”
WHAT? The law and order moral authorities “softened” the legislation? What the heck, over?
stitch on February 10 at 7:46 p.m.
True Story MsJ.. Go Figure…