Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez Says US Lawmakers Shouldn’t Hold Crypto To ‘Stay Even-handed’

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Democratic lawmaker Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez said Monday she is avoiding any investment that could potentially represent a conflict of interest, including crypto – and believes her fellow lawmakers should do the same.

She explained that as a member of the House of Representatives financial services committee, she felt it was inappropriate for her to hold Bitcoin (BTC) or other digital assets because lawmakers have access to ” sensitive information and upcoming policy ”.

“I don’t think members of Congress should own / trade individual stocks and I choose not to own any so that I can remain impartial in policymaking,” AOC said. “I’m also extending this to digital assets / currencies […] I want to do my job in the most ethical and impartial manner possible. “

Screenshot of AOC Instagram stories

AOC, a progressive lawmaker who has served in the United States government since 2019, has advocated for wealthy people to pay more federal taxes, spoke out against sexism in Congress, and called for student debt cancellation . She is also a member of a six-member House group known colloquially as “The Squad”.

While members of Congress are permitted to buy, sell, and trade stocks and other investments while in office, they are also bound by the Stop Trading on Congressional Knowledge Act, or STOCK Act, passed in 2012, which requires them to report everything. buy, sell or trade more than $ 1,000 within 30-45 days. However, many federal judges and lawmakers have reportedly flouted the law by not disclosing certain investments.

Related: Hundreds Of Thousands Watch AOC Take On Robinhood On Twitch

In the case of crypto in the hands of members of Congress, it would appear to be an option to track investments using a public blockchain database, so that House and Senate leaders could avoid placing lawmakers in a position where they would determine policy on crypto and blockchain if it is seen as a conflict of interest. Senator Cynthia Lummis said she bought BTC worth between $ 50,001 and $ 100,000 in August. Even though Senator Lummis was openly pro-crypto before taking the oath, she still sat on the Senate Banking Committee.

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