(File Photo by Kevin Mathewson, Kenosha County Eye)
KENOSHA, Wis. — Congressman Bryan Steil has introduced two new bills in Congress that he says are designed to restore public confidence in government and elections. One measure would prohibit lawmakers from wagering on political outcomes and government actions, while the other would establish a nationwide voter identification requirement for federal elections.
The first proposal, known as the Stop Lawmakers from Predicting Act, would ban members of Congress, their spouses, and dependent children from participating in prediction markets involving government policies, government actions, or political outcomes. Prediction markets allow participants to place wagers on the likelihood of future events, including elections and policy decisions.
“The American people deserve to know their Member of Congress is not profiting off insider information,” Steil said. “The Stop Lawmakers from Predicting Act ensures that cannot happen. This legislation is critical to restoring the public’s trust in their elected officials. Lawmakers should be writing policy, not wagering on its outcome.”
Under the proposal, violators would face a financial penalty equal to $2,000 or 10 percent of the value of the prohibited transaction, whichever is greater, in addition to forfeiting any profits earned from the wager. The legislation would also prohibit lawmakers from using congressional office funds or political donations to pay those penalties.
Steil’s office said the bill was prompted by growing concerns about the use of nonpublic information in prediction markets and reports of candidates wagering on their own elections. The proposal builds upon previous congressional efforts to restrict insider trading and other financial activities that may create conflicts of interest for elected officials.
Steil also introduced the Voter ID Act, a measure that would require voters to present photo identification when casting ballots in federal elections. The bill would apply nationwide and establish uniform voter identification requirements for elections involving federal offices.
“Americans should be confident their elections are run with integrity — voter ID is a commonsense measure to restore trust in our elections,” Steil said. “This legislation will help improve voter confidence and strengthen election integrity nationwide.”
The legislation would require voters casting ballots in person to provide photo identification such as a driver’s license, passport, or military identification card. Mail-in and absentee voters would be required to submit a copy of their identification with their ballot, while voters who arrive at the polls without identification could still cast provisional ballots.
To address concerns about access to identification, the bill would create a grant program administered by the Election Assistance Commission. The program would reimburse states and tribal governments that provide identification cards at no cost to individuals who cannot afford them.
Both bills have been introduced in the House of Representatives and will now move through the congressional committee process. Their prospects for passage remain uncertain, but Steil said the measures are intended to strengthen public trust in elected officials and the nation’s election system.
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2 Responses
Steil knows its election season. Blah…blah…blah
Why is the United States military merging with the Israel’s military?