News · Press Release

Ahead of Trump Visit, DCCC Launches Ad Takeover Blasting Stock-Trading Rob Bresnahan As Part of the Swamp

Bresnahan campaigned on a stock trading ban but has instead become one of the most active traders in Congress
Ahead of Donald Trump’s visit to Northeastern Pennsylvania, the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee is launching a digital ad takeover of the Wilkes-Barre Times-Leader website to remind readers that stock-trading Congressman Rob Bresnahan has become the poster-child of the swamp that Trump – who won this district – promised to drain.

The digital ads, which will blanket the Times-Leader’s webpage during the day of Trump’s visit, read: “Donald Trump campaigned on draining the swamp. Stock trading Rep. Rob Bresnahan is part of the problem.” 

See one version of the ad for yourself:
DCCC Spokesperson Eli Cousin:
“Congressman Rob Bresnahan has become the exact kind of corrupt Washington politician that candidate Donald Trump warned about when he campaigned on draining the swamp. Bresnahan ran on a pledge to ban congressional stock trading, but has instead become one of the worst offenders – looking out for his own bottom line while doing nothing to lower costs for hardworking Northeastern Pennsylvanians. If you want to drain the swamp, firing Bresnahan is a good place to start.”

BACKGROUND:
Bresnahan, a vulnerable first-term Republican, has made national and local headlines after he campaigned on a promise to ban congressional stock trading, but instead became one of the most active traders in Congress. 

  • The New York Times reported in April that Bresnahan had “emerged as one of the most active stock traders” in Congress, executing hundreds of trades worth millions in his first weeks in Washington.
  • The Philadelphia Inquirer reported in August that Bresnahan “has reported 617 stock trades totaling $7.24 million this year.”
  • The Scranton Times-Tribune Editorial Board slammed Bresnahan’s stock trading flip-flop, warning voters to “be leery of officials who promise one thing, [but] do another.”

Bresnahan’s stock trades have also coincided with his votes in Congress, fueling the perception that he may be profiting from his perch.

When pressed on why he won’t simply stop trading stocks, Bresnahan told local WVIA that doing so would cause him to “lose money and go broke.”

Read more about how Bresnahan has damaged his own re-election odds with his stock trading in this memo here.

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