In the midst of ongoing crisis surrounding Boeing's production processes and safety concerns with its aircraft, two Republican Congressmen, Blake Moore of Utah and Kevin Hern of Oklahoma, quietly sold their stocks in the aviation company in January.

According to stock data filed by Quiver Quantitative, Moore and Hern offloaded their Boeing stocks shortly after reports surfaced about a series of safety issues. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) had found that Boeing failed 33 out of 89 safety tests, following an investigation prompted by high-profile airplane incidents. As a result, the FAA ordered a temporary grounding of certain Boeing 737 Max 9 aircraft operated by U.S. airlines, leading to a significant decline in the company's stock value.

Moore and Hern sold their stocks in the days and weeks following the safety concerns. A Boeing spokesperson responded to the situation, stating that the company was implementing immediate changes and developing a comprehensive action plan to strengthen safety and quality.

The spotlight on Boeing's manufacturing processes began when a window panel of an Alaska Airlines flight broke away shortly after takeoff on January 5. This incident, along with subsequent safety concerns, resulted in the grounding of Alaska Airlines' fleet of 65 Boeing 737 MAX 9 planes for inspection. The company experienced a $12.68 billion drop in market capitalization when the stock market opened on January 8.

On January 9, Moore sold his Boeing stock, followed by a series of other incidents involving Boeing planes, including a cracked cockpit window on a Boeing 737-800 and a possible oxygen leak on another Boeing 737. As the month progressed, more incidents were reported, including flames coming out of a Boeing 747-8 and a Delta Airlines Boeing 757 losing a wheel during takeoff.

Hern, a former aerospace engineer and pilot, sold his Boeing stock on January 31. It is worth noting that both Congressmen have previously raised concerns about the FAA's certification processes and inconsistent guidance.

The sale of Boeing stocks by these Republican Congressmen has raised questions about potential conflicts of interest and insider trading. While it is permitted for members of Congress to buy and sell stocks, recent legislation such as the STOCK Act has attempted to limit such practices due to concerns about unfair advantages and insider trading.

Boeing's safety issues and the involvement of Congress in addressing these concerns have further heightened calls to reassess the regulations surrounding lawmakers' financial interests. Critics argue that such financial ties raise doubts about the impartiality of Congress in regulating major companies like Boeing.

The financial relationship between Boeing and legislators is not one-sided, as the company spends millions on lobbying politicians. In 2023, Boeing spent $14.4 million on air transport lobbying ventures. Additionally, Boeing's political action committee contributed $819,000 to federal candidates, with a majority going to Republican recipients.

As the company grapples with safety issues and a decline in stock value, public confidence in Boeing has been further eroded. The recent death of a former Boeing employee, who had raised concerns about the company's production standards, has also drawn attention to the ongoing challenges faced by the aviation giant.

Despite these setbacks, Boeing remains a major player in the industry. The company's stock has experienced a significant decline of -22.58 percent in the last three months, from December 12 to March 12, according to Morningstar data cited by the BBC.

The actions of Congressmen Moore and Hern in selling their Boeing stocks highlight the need for transparency and accountability within the government and underscore the ongoing debate surrounding the financial interests of lawmakers.