Reported by: Gabe Kaminsky, Investigative Reporter

Rep. Kathy Manning’s (D-NC) husband sold thousands worth of Big Tech stock shares before the congresswoman voted in favor of an antitrust bill that aims to rein in the power of these very companies, according to a financial disclosure. 

Manning, one of the wealthiest members of Congress, disclosed on Sept. 12 that her husband, Randall Kaplan, sold up to $30,000 worth of Amazon and Microsoft shares. But only about three weeks later, on Sept. 29, Manning voted on three bipartisan bills aiming to enforce antitrust measures against companies such as Amazon and Microsoft, a move experts tell the Washington Examiner gives the appearance of a conflict of interest. 

The Merger Filing Fee Modernization Act was sponsored by Rep. Joe Neguse (D-CO) and passed 242 to 184. It would hike fees businesses have to pay to federal agencies during a government review of large merger deals, require companies that merge to inform federal agencies of any subsidies received from entities in China and Russia, and give state attorneys general more control over deciding which courts take on antitrust cases so as to block companies from moving lawsuits to jurisdictions that may be more favorable to them.

The White House released a Sept. 27 statement throwing its support behind the House’s antitrust bill, and another version of the bill cleared the Senate on Sept. 29. 

“All of Congresswoman Manning’s investments are in accounts handled by third-party investment managers with no input or direction by her or her husband,” a spokeswoman for Manning told the Washington Examiner. “Congresswoman Manning always bases her votes on what she believes is in the best interest of her constituents.” 

But one watchdog said Manning’s Big Tech stock trades prior to the antitrust bill passing “is a case study” in why it’s a “problem” for members of Congress to trade stocks.

Read full report: https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/policy/courts/serious-suspicions-democratic-rep-discloses-big-tech-stock-sale