I am writing to express my concern regarding congressional salaries and the trading activities of members of Congress.

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First, I would like to thank you for representing me and your community. I acknowledge that your task is not an easy one, and I appreciate your service. However, I am concerned that current congressional compensation and trading policies may inadvertently invite corruption.

 

The lowest a member of Congress will make is $174,000 per year. In contrast, most models estimate the median full-time salary in the US to fall between $60,000 and $70,000. Being that Congress is supposed to represent the average American, I feel that the congressional salary should be more in line with that of the general population. Otherwise, we risk attracting individuals to government who lack a genuine passion for the work or empathy for their constituents.

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I would also like to discuss current congressional trading policies. While the STOCK Act of 2012 was intended to prevent congressional insider trading, concerns persist that these regulations are being circumvented through undisclosed activities. Research shows that 2025 saw members of Congress and their spouses and dependents execute 13,300 trades totaling roughly $635,600,000 this year. With public trust in the government at an all-time low—as reflected in recent Pew Research surveys—these statistics only deepen suspicions of corruption and highlight a growing economic divide between the American people and their representatives

That is why I am urging you to pursue the following:

(1) Lower congressional pay to a scale consistent with that of the constituents they serve.

(2) Ban all stock trading for members of Congress during their tenure and for a length of time preceding it and thereafter.

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I hope you will consider introducing legislation to make this possible.

Thank you for taking the time to hear my concerns.