Brew Markets Congressional Insider Trading & Saks’ Luxury Goes Bankrupt
Jan 14, 2026
Congress faces a new challenge with proposed legislation aimed at curbing insider trading among its members. Will this restore trust in our elected officials? Meanwhile, Saks Global's surprising bankruptcy just a year post-Neiman Marcus acquisition raises eyebrows, with potential winners like Macy's and TJ Maxx eying the fallout. In tech news, Airbnb updates its AI leadership, Netflix revisits its bid for Warner Brothers Discovery, and Tesla shakes up its self-driving purchase terms. A dynamic market landscape indeed!
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Congressional Trading Creates Conflict Risks
- Ann Berry explains Congress can trade stocks while regulating industries, creating conflict-of-interest risks.
- The Stop Insider Trading Act would ban new stock purchases by members, spouses, and dependents and raise penalties.
Huge Volume But Tiny Penalties
- Members executed over 13,000 trades in 2025 worth $635 million, highlighting scale.
- Current enforcement is weak with first-time fines as low as $200 and waivable penalties.
Support Transparency And Stronger Penalties
- The proposed law lets members keep existing holdings but requires seven days' public notice before sales.
- Avoid opaque trades by supporting rules that increase transparency and meaningful penalties.