The Dick Wright cartoon published in the July 23 Gazette references legislation to limit stock trading by members of Congress. It passed in the House although almost all Democrats opposed it. Mr. Wright presents that opposition as an indication of corruption by Democrats, but fails to include in his cartoon the real reason for the Democratic opposition, i.e., the Republican political ploy of adding a federal voter ID requirement to the bill. Elements of the so-called SAVE America Act were also added to the annual defense policy bill and a budget plan to fund the war in Iran.
Trump has stated he would sign no legislation until SAVE is passed, although Republican leadership acknowledges it does not have sufficient support to pass in the Senate. The act, which would restrict voting rights, is part of the administration’s efforts to interfere in the states’ constitutional responsibility for conducting elections, and should be universally opposed. But that did not prevent Republicans from playing games with it prior to a five-week recess, and then immediately started using the Democratic opposition as a campaign talking point, although Democrats, as well as Republicans, have long worked for legislation against congressional stock trading.
Colleen C. Currie
Florence