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2w ago

Bipartisan House Bill Would Ban Lawmakers From Trading Stocks

Sponsors set an end-of-September deadline to trigger a discharge petition if leaders refuse a floor vote.

A trader works on the floor at the New York Stock Exchange on September 3, 2025.
FILE-The Capitol is seen in Washington, Tuesday, Aug. 26, 2025, as Congress is scheduled to return from their August break Tuesday, Sept. 2, 2025, after Labor Day. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite, file)
Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez shares a fist bump with Rep. Tim Burchett at a news conference with a bipartisan group of House members saying they are prepared to force a vote on legislation to ban members of Congress and their families from trading stocks, on Capitol Hill on September 3, 2025.
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Overview

  • The Restore Trust in Congress Act would prohibit members of Congress, their spouses and dependent children from owning or trading individual stocks and other covered assets.
  • Current lawmakers would have 180 days to divest and newly elected members would have 90 days, with diversified funds and U.S. Treasuries still permitted.
  • Enforcement would run through the House and Senate Ethics committees, requiring disgorgement of profits and a publicized fee equal to 10% of the investment for violations.
  • The measure excludes the president and vice president for now, a design choice supporters say improves prospects in the House even as a separate Senate bill from Josh Hawley faces resistance.
  • Backers from across the ideological spectrum say public trust demands action, while opponents warn of deterring private-sector candidates and cite existing insider-trading laws; House leaders have not committed to a vote.