Following the recent post on Ron Paul's investments in gold mining operations, and speculation about whether his position on the House Financial Services committee presents a conflict of interest, here is a similar story regarding the investments members of Congress, who are members of committees with jurisdiction over oil and gas companies, have in the industry.
Nearly 30 members of the congressional committees overseeing oil and gas companies held personal assets in the industry totaling $9 million to $14.5 million late last year. That included at least $400,000 in the three companies at the heart of the Gulf of Mexico oil-drilling disaster, according to a Washington Post analysis of financial disclosure forms released
Wednesday.
Ought there be limits on such investments? If not, how would you address this conflict of interests? Perhaps its no conflict at all.