Government transparency is not optional

When I first entered Congress, I made a decision that surprised some people at the time. I chose to publicly post a daily report of my official meetings, earmark requests and personal financial disclosures — not because anyone asked me to, but because I believed the public had a right to know.

Government works best when trust is built into the system, not demanded after the fact.

And government transparency isn’t about optics. It’s about accountability. When people can see how decisions are made and who has access to power, it becomes harder for corruption to take root — and easier for democracy to function as it should.

That belief has guided my work ever since. It’s why I’ve consistently pushed for stronger ethics rules and led the charge on reforms like the STOCK Act, which aims to prevent members of Congress from using insider knowledge to personally profit off of the stock market. Holding office should never be a financial opportunity. It is a responsibility — one rooted in service.

Unfortunately, that standard is far from universal.

Donald Trump and MAGA Republicans have shown us what happens when transparency is treated as optional. From misinformation campaigns to profit-driven decision-making, their approach to leadership prioritizes personal gain over public good. The result is distrust, dysfunction and a system that serves the few instead of the many.

Democrats are fighting for a different vision — one grounded in openness, ethics and people-first leadership. But those values only become law if we have the power to enforce them.

That’s where the Senate comes in.

Right now, Democrats are just four seats away from flipping the Senate. Those races will be decided in battleground states, and the outcome will determine whether reforms like stronger ethics rules move forward — or are blocked yet again by leaders who benefit from the status quo.

During the holidays, many people are slowing down, spending time with loved ones, and stepping away from politics. But National Republicans are not pausing. They are continuing to raise money and push an agenda that puts profit and power ahead of accountability.

Democracy doesn’t take a holiday — and neither can we.

If you believe public office should be treated as a public trust, and that transparency and integrity should define our government, I hope you’ll take action today.

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Kirsten Gillibrand
Founder, Off the Sidelines