Seth Magaziner

Magaziner Implements Office Policy Banning Participation in Prediction Markets

Position: Rep. Magaziner has implemented an office policy prohibiting himself and staff from participating in prediction markets or wagering on political, legislative, or regulatory outcomes based on official information. He supports legislation to ban members of Congress and government employees from profiting through prediction market trading.

WARWICK, RI – Today, U.S. Representative Seth Magaziner (RI-02) announced that his office has implemented a new policy to prohibit staff including himself from participating in prediction markets or wagering related to political, legislative, regulatory, geopolitical, or other outcomes connected to information learned in an official capacity. The policy applies to platforms such as Polymarket and Kalshi. The ban applies to all employees of Rep. Magaziner’s congressional office. Magaziner issued the following statement: “We need to root out opportunities for corruption in Washington wherever it exists. I am pushing to end insider trading in Washington, and I am ensuring my office leads by example. My team and I are laser focused on serving the people of Rhode Island’s Second Congressional district, and will always hold ourselves to the highest ethical standards. Washington will never work for working people if members of Congress and government officials can profit off their positions.” Prediction markets are online platforms that allow users to buy and sell contracts based on the outcome of future events including elections, the actions of Congress, and the actions of the Trump Administration. High-profile examples of suspicious trading activity on political prediction markets include individuals placing bets on military action in Venezuela and Iran shortly before the launch of classified operations, and candidates betting on the outcomes of their own campaigns. BACKGROUND: Rep. Magaziner supports banning elected officials and government employees from profiting off insider information, including through prediction market platforms. He has taken several actions to advance that effort, including: Introducing leading legislation that bans members of Congress from trading individual stocks. Joining a resolution to ban members of the House of Representatives and employees from trading on prediction market platforms. The U.S. Senate recently passed similar legislation prohibiting senators and Senate staff from participating in prediction market trading. Joining as an original cosponsor of the bipartisan Preventing Real-time Exploitation and Deceptive Insider Congressional Trading (PREDICT) Act, which would prohibit senior government officials across all three branches of government from engaging in insider trading on prediction markets. Cosponsoring the Public Integrity in Financial Prediction Markets Act, legislation that would ban members of Congress, congressional staff, and executive branch officials from betting on government outcomes through prediction market platforms.

Magaziner Statement on End of DHS shutdown

Position: Rep. Magaziner supports ending the DHS shutdown to restore funding for Coast Guard, FEMA, and TSA, but opposes new funding for ICE without significant reforms to its operations and accountability standards.

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, U.S. Representative Seth Magaziner (RI-02), a member of the House Homeland Security Committee, released the following statement after the House passed a bipartisan agreement to fund the Department of Homeland Security, excluding ICE and Border Patrol, to end the months-long shutdown of the Department. “I am pleased that Speaker Johnson has finally agreed to our call to end his blockade of funding for the Coast Guard, FEMA, TSA, and other critical agencies, and that the paychecks of hundreds of thousands and employees at those agencies are now secure. This should have happened months ago. Now Congress must finish the job to reform ICE and require them to stop bringing chaos to American neighborhoods and act with the same standards as every other federal law enforcement agency. Until there is significant change, I will not support any new funding for ICE.”

Magaziner Reintroduces Bill to Train Students for Clean Energy Jobs

Position: Representative Magaziner supports federal investment in career and technical education programs to train students for clean energy jobs, including curriculum development and facility upgrades for renewable energy and energy efficiency training.

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, U.S. Representative Seth Magaziner (RI-02) and Delegate James Moylan (R-Guam) reintroduced the bipartisan Clean Energy Workforce Act, legislation to create a grant program to fund career and technical education (CTE) programs to train young people for careers in the clean energy construction field. This legislation will help develop training pipelines for good-paying jobs in clean energy and accelerate the transition to a clean energy economy by investing in CTE programs that can provide students with invaluable skills-based learning. “The clean energy sector is an accelerator for good-paying local jobs for Rhode Islanders,” said Magaziner. “To ensure Rhode Islanders can take part in building the projects that deliver affordable energy to homes and businesses, we need a prepared and skilled workforce. My bipartisan Clean Energy Workforce Act invests in career and technical education to connect the next generation with good-paying jobs in the clean energy economy.” “Building a stronger workforce starts with giving our students access to real-world skills and career opportunities that prepare them for the future. For Guam and other island communities, investing in career and technical education is critical to developing a new generation of skilled workers who can support modern energy infrastructure, strengthen our economy, and reduce reliance on outside labor. I’m proud to join Congressman Magaziner on this bipartisan effort to expand pathways into high-demand careers and ensure our students are equipped to succeed in a rapidly evolving energy sector,” said Moylan. The Clean Energy Workforce Act provides $100 million in the creation of two new grant programs: The Clean Energy Curriculum Development Grants to support CTE programs in developing curricula foremerging careers in clean energy, renewable energy, energy efficiency, climate change mitigation, or climate change adaptation. The Renewable Energy Facilities Grants program to provide CTE programs with funds to upgrade existing facilities, develop new facilities, and acquire new educational equipment to improve energy efficiency or convert to renewable energy. This legislation is endorsed by the American Association of Community Colleges (AACC), American Federation of Teachers (AFT), Association for Career and Technical Education (ACTE), League of Conservation Voters, National Education Association (NEA), National Skills Coalition, National Wildlife Federation, Sierra Club, and SkillsUSA.

Congressional Progressive Caucus Prioritizes Magaziner Bill to Guarantee Paid Vacation for All Workers in New Legislative Agenda

Position: The Congressional Progressive Caucus prioritizes the Protected Time Off (PTO) Act, which would guarantee all American workers paid vacation time, with full-time workers earning a minimum of two weeks per year.

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, the Congressional Progressive Caucus released an agenda of 10 economic policy proposals it is prioritizing for passage next Congress, including Rep. Magaziner’s Protected Time Off (PTO) Act to guarantee paid vacation for all American workers. The inclusion of the PTO Act in the nearly 100-member Caucus’s “New Affordability Agenda” underscores growing momentum for the bill. This endorsement follows polling released earlier this month that shows 9 out of 10 Americans support earned paid time off as a basic right, and 72 percent support guaranteeing paid vacation for all workers. Similar polling from Data for Progress found that 82 percent of likely voters support two weeks of paid vacation for full-time workers, as proposed by the PTO Act. “Americans work hard and deserve the chance to rest, recharge, and take care of life outside the job,” said Magaziner. “I am excited that the Congressional Progressive Caucus has included our bill to guarantee paid vacation for all workers in its agenda of priorities for working people. I look forward to joining my colleagues to get this legislation across the finish line and deliver fairness for all workers.” BACKGROUND: The PTO Act was reintroduced in July 2025 by Rep. Magaziner and co-leads Reps. Greg Casar (TX-35), Nikki Budzinski (IL-13), and Jasmine Crockett (TX-30). The PTO Act: Provides all employees with guaranteed paid vacation time, usable for any reason and paid at their regular wage. Full-time workers will earn a minimum of two weeks of paid vacation per year. This leave will be in addition to any paid sick leave or family and medical leave already guaranteed by law. Protects employees against discrimination for exercising their right to take annual paid time off. Magaziner’s PTO Act is endorsed by the AFL-CIO; International Association of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation Workers (SMART); UNITE HERE; Center for Law and Social Policy (CLASP); Economic Opportunity Institute; Family Values @ Work; National Employment Law Project; National Partnership for Women & Families; Paid Leave for All; UnidosUS; ZERO TO THREE; AFT; NEA; National Women’s Law Center Action Fund; Economic Policy Institute; SEIU; Congressional Dads Caucus; Congressional Labor Caucus. More than 27 million private-sector workers in the United States, over one in five, receive no paid vacation at all. The United States is the only advanced economy nation in the world that doesn’t guarantee any paid vacation for workers. By contrast, the European Union guarantees workers at least 20 paid vacation days per year, with some countries mandating as many as 25 or 30 annual days off. Full text of the PTO Act can be found here.

Magaziner, Kiggans Bill to Preserve U.S. Battlefields Passes House Natural Resources Committee

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, the House Committee on Natural Resources unanimously passed U.S. Representative Seth Magaziner’s (RI-02) bipartisan American Battlefield Protection Program Amendments Act of 2026, legislation he co-leads with Rep. Jenn Kiggans (VA-02). The legislation extends and increases federal funding for the American Battlefield Protection Program (ABPP), which preserves and restores some of the nation’s most historically significant battlefields. As the nation marks the 250th anniversary of America’s founding, the legislation underscores the importance of preserving the very places where the fight for independence and the foundation of our democracy took shape. “We have a responsibility to preserve and pass on the sites where our democracy and freedom were won,” said Magaziner. “These battlefields are sacred ground and a direct link to the bravery that shaped our nation. I am proud to have advanced this legislation alongside Rep. Kiggans to ensure future generations can learn from, honor, and experience these historic sites.” The legislation supports continued education and preservation efforts through the American Battlefield Land Acquisition Grants Program, a matching grant program that helps protect historically significant battlefields from the American Revolutionary War, War of 1812, and American Civil War. The program is currently authorized through fiscal year 2028. This legislation extends authorization for an additional seven years, providing $20 million annually through 2035. In addition, the bill directs the National Park Service to study opportunities to preserve significant battlefields from the French and Indian War and the Mexican-American War.

Magaziner, Crenshaw, Begich Bill to Combat Illegal Foreign Fishing Passes House Natural Resources Committee

Position: The release supports legislation to strengthen federal enforcement against illegal foreign fishing through enhanced Coast Guard capabilities, international treaty provisions, and vessel tracking mechanisms to protect domestic fishing industry competitiveness.

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, the House Committee on Natural Resources unanimously passed U.S. Representative Seth Magaziner’s (RI-02) Fighting Foreign Illegal Seafood Harvest (FISH) Act, legislation to combat foreign illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing that undercuts local Rhode Island fishermen. Magaziner co-leads the legislation with Rep. Dan Crenshaw (R-TX-02) and Rep. Nick Begich (R-AK-AL) which was introduced in June of 2025. The Senate companion legislation, led by Senators Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) and Dan Sullivan (R-AK), was passed unanimously by the chamber in March of this year. The legislation strengthens the U.S. Coast Guard’s enforcement capabilities to crack down on illegal fishing. It also directs the executive branch to address illegal foreign fishing in future international treaties and agreements. “Fishing is a way of life in Rhode Island and a cornerstone of our economy and culture,” said Magaziner. “Illegal and unreported foreign fishing undercuts Rhode Island fishermen and makes it harder for them to compete. This bill to crack down on these bad actors has passed the Natural Resources Committee and is now one step closer to becoming law to level the playing field for Rhode Island fishermen.” The bipartisan, bicameral FISH Act combats IUU fishing by doing the following: Direct the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to establish a black list of foreign vessels and owners that have engaged in IUU fishing; Direct the administration to address IUU fishing in any relevant international agreements; Direct the U.S. Coast Guard to increase its at-sea inspection of foreign vessels suspected of IUU fishing, and coordinate with regional fishery management organizations (RFMOs) to determine if a vessel’s flag state is taking corrective action; Direct the administration to report to Congress on how new technologies can aid in the fight against IUU fishing, the complexities of the seafood trade relationship between Russia and China, and the success of prosecutions against IUU fishermen operating in U.S. waters. Issues: Jobs and the Economy

New Poll: Americans Overwhelmingly Support Magaziner Proposal to Guarantee Paid Vacation for All Workers

Position: Representative Magaziner advocates for federal legislation guaranteeing paid vacation for all workers, proposing a minimum of two weeks annually for full-time employees, citing polling data showing broad public support across ideological lines.

WASHINGTON, DC – New polling released by the Brookings Institution demonstrates overwhelming support for the U.S. Representative Seth Magaziner’s proposal to guarantee paid vacation for all workers through his Protected Time Off Act. Recent polling from Data for Progress also shows broad support for the proposal. The Brookings polling finds that 9 out of 10 Americans support earned paid time off as a basic right, and 72 percent support guaranteeing paid vacation for all workers. Similarly, polling from Data for Progress found that 82 percent of likely voters support 2-weeks of paid vacation for full-time workers, as proposed in Magaziner’s PTO Act. This strong support is across ideological lines, with 84 percent of Democrats, 83 percent of Independents, and 81 percent of Republicans supporting the proposal. This data underscores strong public support for a guaranteed time-off policy that benefits all workers, alongside policies to expand paid sick leave and paid family leave. “Every American worker deserves time off to rest, recharge, or just spend time with the people they love without worrying about missing a paycheck,” said Magaziner. “This new polling makes clear that Americans overwhelmingly agree paid vacation should be a basic right. I am proud to lead the PTOAct to ensure all workers can earn the time off they deserve.” More than 27 million private-sector workers in the United States, over one in five, receive no paid vacation at all. The United States is the only advanced economy nation in the world that doesn’t guarantee any paid vacation for workers. By contrast, the European Union guarantees workers at least 20 paid vacation days per year, with some countries mandating as many as 25 or 30 annual days off. The Protected Time Off (PTO)Act will: Provide all employees with guaranteed paid vacation time, usable for any reason and paid at their regular wage. Full-time workers will earn a minimum of two weeks of paid vacation per year. This leave will be in addition to any paid sick leave or family and medical leave already guaranteed by law. Protect employees against discrimination for exercising their right to take annual paid time off. Magaziner’s PTO Act is endorsed by the AFL-CIO; International Association of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation Workers (SMART); UNITE HERE; Center for Law and Social Policy (CLASP); Economic Opportunity Institute; Family Values @ Work; National Employment Law Project; National Partnership for Women & Families; Paid Leave for All; UnidosUS; ZERO TO THREE; AFT; NEA; National Women’s Law Center Action Fund; Economic Policy Institute; SEIU; Congressional Dads Caucus; Congressional Labor Caucus. Full text of the PTO Act can be found here. Issues: Jobs and the Economy