A Cruel and Stunning New Low”: Rep. Bresnahan Accused of Profiting Off Stock Sale Ahead of Major Medicaid Vote
Congressman Rob Bresnahan is at the center of a political firestorm following revelations that he sold stock in a major Medicaid provider just days before voting for historic cuts to the program. The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC) has condemned the move, accusing the congressman of breaking public trust and potentially profiting from his position in Congress.
The controversy centers on a recent stock transaction involving Centene, described as “the largest Medicaid managed care organization in the nation.” According to the report, Bresnahan sold his shares in the company shortly before casting a vote in favor of legislation that would significantly gut Medicaid funding. Since his sale, Centene’s stock has reportedly fallen by over 40%, raising serious questions about the timing of the trade.
In a scathing statement, DCCC Spokesperson Eli Cousin called out the congressman’s actions.
“Even for Rob Bresnahan, dumping stock in a Medicaid provider before voting for the largest cuts to Medicaid in history marks a cruel and stunning new low,” said Cousin. “Bresnahan has fully broken the public trust by not just breaking his promises not to cut Medicaid and not to trade in Congress – but by potentially profiting from his perch. He will be a one-term Congressman.”
Accusations of Broken Promises Mount
The DCCC’s statement highlights what it calls a pattern of duplicity, reminding voters of two key pledges Bresnahan made to his constituents in Northeastern Pennsylvania (NEPA):
-
Protecting Medicaid: Bresnahan campaigned on a promise to safeguard Medicaid, yet his recent vote supported what his critics are calling the largest cuts to the program in history.
-
Banning Congressional Stock Trading: He previously pledged to support a ban on stock trading by members of Congress, but has since become one of the most active traders in the House.
This latest controversy brings both of those issues to a head, combining the sensitive topic of healthcare access with the explosive charge of self-enrichment. The accusations suggest a direct conflict of interest, where a legislative action that negatively impacts a company was preceded by a financial move that insulated the congressman from the resulting stock drop.
As this story develops, Bresnahan faces mounting pressure to explain the timing of his trade and reconcile his actions with his past promises to voters. For his political opponents, the incident provides powerful ammunition, painting a picture of a politician who puts personal gain ahead of public service.
