Opinion: The real Chris Collins scandal: lax conflict-of-interest rules in Congress
When it comes to recusing themselves from decisions that implicate their financial interests or divesting assets, members of Congress play by their own rules.
In the aftermath of Rep. Chris Collins’ (R-N.Y.) arrest last week on insider trading charges stemming from his involvement with an Australian biotech company, it is tempting to focus public attention and anger on his alleged crimes. But we should be far more concerned by what the episode reveals about Congress’ failure to regulate members’ financial conflicts of interest.
It’s certainly troubling that Collins may have broken the law. It’s even more troubling that he was allowed to invest in a biotech company and sit
