5/02/2025
If it is against the law – then it should not be allowed. In all of the years I worked in a major business – it was against the working rules of the company to conduct PERSONAL BUSINESS during working hours and if the government folks are buying stock during work hours then they should be FIRED. And, the fact they receive – every day – information on how/what businesses are planning.
DUH!
NOW – is that right and fair to get a one-up on the taxpayers?
Plain and simple.
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ttps://www.financialexpress.com/business/investing-abroad-pelosi-act-to-ban-congress-lawmakers-from-trading-or-holding-individual-stocks-introduced-3826649/
Members of Congress Are Buying These 4 Warren Buffett Stocks. Should You?
Bipartisan support for banning U.S. senators and representatives from buying and selling stocks while they’re in office is picking up momentum. President Trump recently stated that he would “absolutely” sign legislation to that end if it comes to his desk.
If you’re hoping to get great investing ideas from Capitol Hill, you might not have much time left to do so. However, it’s not too late. Members of Congress have been buying four Warren Buffett stocks recently. Should you buy these stocks, too?
Members of Congress Are Buying These 4 Warren Buffett Stocks. Should You?
Bipartisan support for banning U.S. senators and representatives from buying and selling stocks while they’re in office is picking up momentum. President Trump recently stated that he would “absolutely” sign legislation to that end if it comes to his desk.
If you’re hoping to get great investing ideas from Capitol Hill, you might not have much time left to do so. However, it’s not too late. Members of Congress have been buying four Warren Buffett stocks recently. Should you buy these stocks, too?
Where to invest $1,000 right now? Our analyst team just revealed what they believe are the 10 best stocks to buy right now. Continue »
1. Amazon
Rep. Dwight Evans, a Democrat representing Pennsylvania’s third congressional district, bought shares of Amazon (NASDAQ: AMZN) in early April. He was joined by a colleague from across the aisle. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, a Republican who represents Georgia’s 14th district, also picked up shares of Amazon on two occasions in April.
Federal disclosure regulations don’t require members of Congress to reveal why they bought or sold individual stocks. However, we can probably make a good guess as to why Amazon has received bipartisan votes of approval in recent weeks.
The company remains a juggernaut in two key industries — e-commerce and cloud services. Artificial intelligence, especially generative AI, continues to provide a major tailwind for Amazon Web Services. The stock’s trailing-12-month price-to-earnings ratio is near the lowest levels since the Great Recession of 2007 through 2009.
Amazon could struggle if the economy enters a recession. However, I think the stock is a great pick for long-term investors, even those who don’t have seats in Congress.
2. American Express
Only one congressman has bought American Express (NYSE: AXP) stock over the last 30 days. Rep. Rick Larsen, a Democrat who represents Washington’s second congressional district, scooped up shares of the financial services giant on April 8, 2025.
American Express is one of Buffett’s longest-held positions. It’s also Berkshire Hathaway‘s (NYSE: BRK.A) (NYSE: BRK.B) second-largest holding with the conglomerate’s stake valued at over $40 billion.
The financial stock hasn’t been immune to the overall stock market volatility caused by President Trump’s tariffs. Shares of American Express have fallen roughly 10% year to date. Rep. Larsen bought AmEx stock when it was down even more.
My view is that other investors could like American Express, too. The company’s revenue and earnings continue to grow at a solid pace. Despite the macroeconomic uncertainty. AmEx still expects to deliver strong revenue and earnings growth this year.
3. Apple
Some might have questioned Buffett’s decision to significantly reduce Berkshire’s stake in Apple (NASDAQ: AAPL) in late 2023 and throughout much of 2024. But the iPhone maker’s share price is now down 18% or so below its previous high.
Three members of Congress have taken advantage of this sell-off in recent weeks, all of them Republicans. Rep. Jefferson Shreve, who represents Indiana’s sixth district, bought shares of Apple on March 30, 2025. A few days later, on April 2, Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene added shares to her portfolio. She also purchased more Apple shares on April 8. In addition, Rep. Rob Bresnahan of Pennsylvania’s eighth district bought Apple stock on April 7.
I have two opinions on Apple. Short-term investors might want to stay away from the stock. The company could be negatively impacted by the Trump administration’s tariffs. However, I think Apple could be an excellent stock to own over the long term (just as it has throughout its history). Don’t undestimate Apple’s iPhone-centric ecosystem and its ability to launch game-changing new products.
4. Berkshire Hathaway
The fourth Buffett stock that’s been scooped up by a member of Congress over the last 30 days is none other than Berkshire Hathaway itself. Note that I used the singular “member” rather than plural “members.” Only Rep. Greene from Georgia bought Berkshire shares.
I can fully understand why she found Berkshire Hathaway appealing. The stock has risen in 2025 while the major market indexes have floundered. Buffett has built a staggering cash stockpile of over $334 billion that he and his investment managers can put to use if stock valuations become even more attractive.
However, Buffett didn’t approve any stock buybacks in the fourth quarter of 2024 for the first time in years. This could indicate that he believes the stock is trading at a premium to its intrinsic value. Even if that’s the case, I think Berkshire Hathaway remains an excellent stock for investors right now.
Don’t buy this ultimate Buffett stock because a congresswoman bought it, though. Instead, buy Berkshire for its exceptional management team (that extends beyond Buffett, by the way) and the tremendous diversification that it offers.
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ttps://www.financialexpress.com/business/investing-abroad-pelosi-act-to-ban-congress-lawmakers-from-trading-or-holding-individual-stocks-introduced-3826649/
US politicians and lawmakers may be disallowed to buy stocks
The PELOSI Act would ban lawmakers and their spouses from holding, purchasing or selling individual stocks for the duration of the lawmaker’s time in office.
Written by Sunil Dhawan
Updated:April 30, 2025 10:57 IST
The US lawmakers in the Congress are allowed to own and trade in stocks and other securities, under law. Currently, the Stop Trading on Congressional Knowledge (STOCK Act) mandates that Congress members file financial disclosures of their stock trades within 30 days and imposes new penalties for insider trading.
Effectively, the members of Congress can own, buy, and sell individual stock even where that stock will conflict with their official duties.
Unusual Whales, a startup, has found that the stock portfolios of numerous Congress members from both major parties outperformed the S&P 500 in 2024.
Going forward, this practice may stop. U.S. Senator Josh Hawley has reintroduced the Preventing Elected Leaders from Owning Securities and Investments (PELOSI) Act, which would ban members of Congress from trading or holding individual stocks. The move comes after President Trump announced he would sign such a bill into law if it crossed his desk.
“Members of Congress should be fighting for the people they were elected to serve—not day trading at the expense of their constituents,” stated Senator Hawley.
“Americans have seen politician after politician turn a profit using information not available to the general public. It’s time we ban all members of Congress from trading and holding stocks and restore Americans’ trust in our nation’s legislative body.”
The PELOSI Act would ban lawmakers and their spouses from holding, purchasing or selling individual stocks for the duration of the lawmaker’s time in office. Lawmakers would be allowed to invest in diversified mutual funds, exchange-traded funds, or U.S. Treasury bonds while in office.
If passed, current lawmakers would have 180 days to comply with the legislation. Likewise, newly elected members of Congress would be required to comply within 180 days of taking office.
Members who refuse to comply with the PELOSI Act must forfeit any stock profits to the U.S. Department of the Treasury and face monetary penalties imposed by the House and Senate ethics committees.
Congress (with Campaign Legal Center’s support) had passed the Stop Trading on Congressional Knowledge (STOCK Act) in 2012. The act requires members of Congress to file financial disclosures of their stock trades within 30 days (previously, they were only required to file annual disclosures) and places new penalties on members who used information for insider trading.
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