Rep. Bresnahan Under Scrutiny for Selling Shares in Pennsylvania Firms
Republican Representative Rob Bresnahan has drawn attention after selling shares in numerous Pennsylvania-based companies, raising questions about potential conflicts of interest.
A Periodic Transaction Report (PTR) reveals that on April 8, Bresnahan divested from 50 different companies, including major employers in Pennsylvania like Boeing, FedEx, Accenture, and Procter & Gamble. This move coincided with President Donald Trump’s announcement of new tariffs on China, which subsequently led to a market downturn. Just days before, Bresnahan expressed support for these tariffs in a statement to WVIA, suggesting they could benefit the economy.
“I think tariffs could be used very strategically in the right deployment and some targeted initiatives,” Bresnahan stated. “And that’s hopefully… about making life affordable again. We want to make sure that we’re protecting from harm across the board.”
The companies Bresnahan sold shares in include CSX, a freight railroad enterprise. Both CSX and Boeing fall under the oversight of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, where Bresnahan holds a seat. This connection has amplified concerns over his financial decisions.
This incident is not Bresnahan’s first encounter with scrutiny regarding stock trades. Previously, as a candidate, he committed to advocating for a ban on stock trading by Congress members. He articulated his stance in a March 2024 op-ed, stating, “Some of the most prolific traders in the country serve in Congress. Whether or not they have done something wrong, the idea that we can buy and sell stocks while voting on legislation that will have a direct impact on these companies is wrong and needs to come to an end immediately.” Despite this declaration, Bresnahan has not co-sponsored any related legislation.
Bresnahan serves Pennsylvania’s 8th District, encompassing parts of Scranton and Wilkes-Barre. He narrowly defeated Democratic Rep. Matt Cartwright in 2024 by a margin of less than 6,300 votes. Given the circumstances, the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC) has marked Bresnahan’s seat as a potential target for Democrats in the 2026 elections.
A spokesperson for Bresnahan did not provide an immediate response to requests for comments.
Source: American Journal News
