In a notable decision, the House Ethics Committee has called on Pennsylvania Republican Rep. Mike Kelly to divest his family's holdings in Cleveland-Cliffs, an Ohio-based steel manufacturer, due to potential conflict of interest concerns. This recommendation came after investigations into allegations that Kelly's wife purchased stock using non-public information that Kelly could have accessed through his congressional role.

Despite a thorough investigation, the Ethics Committee stated, "We did not find evidence that [Rep. Kelly] knowingly or intentionally caused his spouse to trade based on insider information." However, the appearance of a conflict of interest prompted the panel to recommend divestment, especially considering Kelly's acknowledgment of his insider status with respect to the company.

The STOCK Act, enacted in 2012, prohibits insider trading by lawmakers and was central to this investigation. The Act also prevents officials from sharing non-public information for stock trading purposes. Concerns were further amplified when it was discovered that Kelly's wife continued to buy stock during the committee's investigation and that Kelly delayed disclosing these purchases.

Rep. Kelly expressed his eagerness to move past this issue, stating, "My family and I look forward to putting this distraction behind us." He defended his actions by highlighting his advocacy for the 1,400 workers at the Cleveland Cliffs Butler Works plant during a challenging period under current energy policies.

In addition to Rep. Kelly's case, the Ethics Committee released findings on other members of Congress. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez was scrutinized for her participation in the 2021 Met Gala. Although she made efforts to comply with House rules, certain aspects were deemed inappropriate by the committee. She has agreed to repay the outstanding expenses related to her partner's attendance.

Furthermore, ongoing investigations involve Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick and Rep. Henry Cuellar. Cherfilus-McCormick is being examined for potentially violating House rules by soliciting funds from a for-profit entity. Meanwhile, Cuellar faces more severe allegations, with a federal indictment in 2024 for accepting bribes linked to foreign entities.

These series of investigations underscore the Ethics Committee's role in maintaining the integrity of Congressional members in their official duties and personal conduct.