U.S. Representative Zach Nunn (IA-03) today introduced bipartisan legislation to combat corruption in the nation’s capital. The bipartisan No Corruption in Government Act, co-led by U.S. Representative Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (WA-03), would prevent stock trading, end automatic annual pay raises, and triple the lobbying ban for Members of Congress. The Back to Work Act, co-led by U.S. Representative Dan Newhouse (WA-04), would require federal employees to return to the office and ensure federal employees are not abusing telework policies.
“Our government is supposed to be of the people, for the people, and by the people. We must return transparency, accountability, and integrity to our nation’s capital,” said Rep. Nunn. “We need common sense in Washington so that our federal government always acts in the best interest of the American people – not for personal gain.”
While serving in the state legislature, Rep. Nunn vowed not to trade stocks that would have a conflict of interest at the state level. Now, in Congress, Rep. Nunn continues to refrain from trading individual stocks and believes all Members of Congress should do the same.
A New York Times study found that approximately 20 percent of Members of Congress are buying and selling stocks where there may be a conflict of interest. During the 117th Congress, 78 Members of Congress violated the current law, known as the STOCK Act, which requires public disclosure of trades within 45 days. Public polling suggests roughly 75 percent of Americans support banning Members of Congress from trading individual stocks.
Under current law, Members of Congress receive an automatic pay raise each year, unless Congress passes legislation to prevent it. For 2025, the automatic pay increase for Members of the House of Representatives is maximum 3.8% adjustment, or $6,600.
Members of the House of Representatives are banned from lobbying for one year after leaving office and Senators are banned from lobbying for two years. Despite this restriction, lobbying remains the single most popular post-Congress career choice with approximately two-thirds of former Members joining the lobbying industry.
“Serving in Congress should be an opportunity to deliver for your community, not to enrich yourself,” said Rep. Gluesenkamp Perez. “By preventing Members of Congress from trading stocks, receiving yearly pay raises, and turning to lobbying shortly after their term, more lawmakers will be accountable to their constituents and be in the work of governing for the right reasons.”
According to a 2023 study by the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO), 17 of the 24 federal agencies use 25% or less of their headquarters building capacity. GAO identified six agencies that were 91% vacant while their employees still received a locality bonus regardless of their in-office attendance. D.C. bureaucrats are abusing taxpayer dollars by taking advantage of telework policies and earning bonuses paid by the American taxpayers.
The bipartisan No Corruption in Government Act is comprised of three bills that Rep. Nunn introduced in the 118th Congress to prevent Members of Congress from using their public service to enrich themselves:
- The Prohibit Insider Trading Act, which would prevent Members of Congress and their spouses from holding or trading individual stocks.
- The End Automatic Pay Raises Act, which would repeal current law that automatically provides a raise for Members of Congress each year.
- The Ban Members from Becoming Lobbyists Act, which would triple the length of the lobbying ban for Members of Congress.
Text of the No Corruption in Government Act can be found here.
The Back to Work Act would require certain federal employees to spend at least 60% of their work hours in the office and prevent federal employees from receiving special locality bonuses for their office location being in a high-cost-of-living area despite working from home.
Text of the Back to Work Act can be found here. Rep. Nunn introduced both pieces of legislation at a press conference in Des Moines.
