Sen. Richard Burr (R-NC) was only one of three senators to vote against the Stop Trading on Congressional Knowledge Act, or STOCK Act back in 2012. He's the only one still in the Senate, but that might be changing soon. Because Burr's vote against the STOCK Act, and the fact that he's become very wealthy during his Senate tenure are becoming a campaign issue, smartly forwarded by his Democratic opponent, Deborah Ross.
"Richard Burr went to Washington, got rich, and then was one of only three Senators to vote against banning insider trading for lawmakers and their staff," Ross told CBS News.
To strengthen that point, Ross unveiled an "Ethics and Accountability Plan" this week, specifically citing Burr's vote on the STOCK Act. The release stated that "Burr also introduced and pushed bills that would benefit his stock holdings" and that Ross's "focus on cleaning up politics offers a stark contrast" to Burr.
Her first television ad also hit Burr on his ties to special interests and accumulated wealth since he joined the Senate in 2004.
About that wealth: "Burr's average estimated net worth has increased more than fivefold since he joined the Senate, from a little more than half a million dollars in 2004 to $2.6 million in 2014." Burr held stock in Chesapeake Energy, Devon Energy, Loews Corp. Waste Management Inc., Transocean Ltd., and Nucor Corp., all energy companies lobbying Congress for energy and regulatory bills which Burr has cosponsored. Four of the companies—Chesapeake Energy, Devon Energy, Loews Corp., and Waste Management Inc.—contributed $22,500 to PACs supporting Burr in the last six years. "According to the Center for Responsive Politics, the oil and gas industry alone has donated over $380,000 to Burr's PACs between 2003 and 2016."
Sure, that's just how politics works. Burr isn't doing anything any other member who gets a ton of money from the energy industry isn't also doing. That's the problem, says Ross, and why she has an ethics and accountability plan. Her proposal "includes cracking down on the revolving door between Congress and K Street, eliminating taxpayer subsidies for lobbyists, ending pay-to-play schemes for government contractors, and standing up against special interest dark money in elections."
Sounds like she's on to something there.
Can you spend $3 to help Deborah Ross get to the Senate?