Josh Gottheimer Bought AI-Linked Stocks Despite Backing Congressional Trading Ban

According to CNBC, Rep. Josh Gottheimer, a Democrat helping shape his party’s artificial intelligence agenda, disclosed an Oct. 12 purchase of $1,001 to $15,000 in Benchmark Electronics stock and an Oct. 26 purchase of up to $15,000 in Applied Materials shares. His jointly owned Morgan Stanley account had also made three earlier purchases of Advanced Micro Devices stock. In July, Gottheimer was among 13 Democrats who voted for the Stop Insider Trading Act, which would bar lawmakers and their families from buying most individual stocks; the bill passed the House but has not become law. His spokesman said Gottheimer had given a third party full discretion over his investments and was awaiting congressional approval of a blind trust.