Stock trades reported by nearly a fifth of U.S. Congress show possible conflicts: NYT

NEW YORK, Sept. 27 (Xinhua) -- From 2019 to 2021, 183 current U.S. senators or representatives reported a trade of a stock or another financial asset by themselves or an immediate family member, reported The New York Times in mid-September.

"More than half of them sat on congressional committees that potentially gave them insight into the companies whose shares they reported buying or selling," said the newspaper.

"The potential for conflicts in stock trading by members of Congress -- and their choice so far not to impose stricter limits on themselves -- has long drawn criticism, especially when particularly blatant cases emerge," said the report.

Over the three-year period, more than 3,700 trades reported by lawmakers from both parties posed potential conflicts between their public responsibilities and private finances, it noted.

"Many instances show how legislative work and investment decisions can overlap in ways that at a minimum can leave the appearance of a conflict and that sometimes form a troubling pattern -- even if they technically fall within the rules," the report added.