Let’s cut the fluff.
Nevada Congresswoman Susie Lee didn’t technically break the law. But that’s like saying the guy walking out of the casino with your wallet didn’t technically steal it because you left it on the bar.
Here’s what went down.
Lee sits on the House Appropriations Committee. That means she’s one of the folks who decide how much of your tax money gets shoveled into defense projects, military construction, and every other government boondoggle with a shiny “patriotic” label.
And right around the time her committee was greasing the gears of the defense machine, a “trust” tied to her – run by a so-called independent manager – went shopping.
The buy? Stock in Rheinmetall, a German weapons company that builds tanks, ammo, and profit margins big enough to make Wall Street drool.
Timing? Impeccable. Because guess what happened next?
NATO dumped piles of cash into defense contracts for Ukraine. Rheinmetall stock blasted off like a missile – shooting up more than 200%.
That little “trust” of hers just hit the jackpot while American taxpayers footed the bill.
But don’t worry, her office says she had no idea.
Sure. And I “accidentally” keep buying winning lottery tickets.
Follow the Money, Not the Excuses
You, me, and every regular Nevadan get to watch as our grocery bills climb, gas prices spike, and rent shoots up faster than a Vegas slot payout.
Meanwhile, the people who are supposed to represent us are quietly padding their portfolios with insider knowledge they swear they never use.
It’s legal. But it’s sleazy.
This is why Congress’s approval rating is somewhere between “root canal” and “California gas tax.”
And Susie Lee’s not alone.
Lawmakers across the board are pulling this stunt – buying and selling stocks in the very industries they regulate, while pretending they’re shocked anyone could think it’s shady.
If you or I tried that, we’d be looking at a prison sentence.
In Congress, it gets you another term.
Nevada Deserves Better
This isn’t some Beltway game. It’s about trust. Nevadans send people to Washington to serve the public, not profit off it.
When a member of Congress sits on a defense committee and suddenly her family trust is neck-deep in defense stocks, that’s not “bad optics.”
That’s a flashing red light and a siren screaming, “CONFLICT OF INTEREST AHEAD.”
And the excuse that “a third party handles her investments”? Please. If your accountant kept buying stock in companies that benefitted from your votes, you’d fire him on the spot.
The truth? These folks don’t play by the same rules we do.
You miss a rent payment – you get evicted.
They “forget” to disclose trades worth millions—and they get a pass.
This is why Americans don’t trust politicians.
Susie Lee made money while sitting on the very committee that could influence the value of what she bought.
That’s not representation. That’s insider advantage dressed up in red, white, and blue wrapping paper.
So here’s the deal, Nevada: if we want honest government, we’ve got to stop electing people who treat Congress like their own personal stock exchange.
Lee’s defense is that she didn’t personally make the trade. Fine.
But if she can’t keep her hands – or her family trust – out of conflicts of interest, maybe she should keep them out of office too.
Because in the real world, when the fox guards the henhouse, it’s not “diversified investment.” It’s dinner.
The opinions expressed by contributors are their own and do not necessarily represent the views of Nevada News & Views. This article was written with the assistance of AI. Please verify information and consult additional sources as needed.
