Yavapai News

U.S. Rep. Eli Crane (R-Ariz.) said members of Congress who trade stock are "the epitome of self-serving political corruption."

"Congressional stock trading is the epitome of self-serving political corruption," Crane wrote in a post on X. "I’ve cosponsored a bipartisan bill to outlaw this type of corrupt BS."

The proposed legislation, H.R.1679, would prohibit "Members of Congress and their spouses from owning or trading stocks, bonds, commodities, futures, or any other form of security."

The bill, introduced in March of 2023 by Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D-Wash.), would require members of Congress to divest from any stocks, bonds, or other securities within 180 days of the bill being enacted, and future members would be required to divest within 180 days of joining Congress. The bill also carries a $50,000 fine for each violation. 

U.S. Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-Mary.) has faced recent criticism for her gains in the stock market, with Pelosi making $10 million in unrealized gains within a week.

U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin (D-Wisc.) has also been criticized for her connection with her partner, Maria Brisbane, who she is not legally married to. Brisbane is a private wealth advisor who regularly invests her client's money into the industries that Baldwin regulates, according to a report from The Sconi.

Crane joined the U.S. Navy in 2001, just weeks after the 9/11 attacks. He was in the Navy for 13 years, serving in five wartime deployments, including three as a Navy SEAL. After leaving the military he and his wife started a company that made bottle openers from shell casings, which grew in success and was sold in 2022. 

Crane is currently serving in the U.S. Congress, representing Arizona’s 2nd district. He replaced previous U.S Congress member Tom O'Halleran in 2023. Crane was born in Tucson, Arizona in 1980. He currently lives in Oro Valley with his wife and two daughters.