The House of Representatives delivered a major victory for Republicans on Wednesday, approving a sweeping legislative package that combines two of the most popular reform proposals among American voters: a ban on congressional stock trading and a nationwide voter identification requirement.
The legislation passed by a vote of 231-198, highlighting the sharp political divide in Washington over election security and ethics reform. Republicans celebrated the measure as a common-sense package designed to restore public trust in government, while nearly every Democrat opposed it, arguing both the legislation itself and the decision to combine the two issues into one bill were flawed.
Only 13 House Democrats crossed party lines to support the proposal, while nearly every Republican voted in favor.
