Stock Ban SHAKES Capitol Hill!
A bipartisan bill banning members of Congress and their families from trading stocks is gaining traction, signaling a rare moment of unity—and a potential end to Capitol Hill’s most controversial financial privilege.
At a Glance
The TRUST in Congress Act would ban stock trading by lawmakers, their spouses, and dependent children
The bill mandates divestiture or use of blind trusts within 180 days for current members and 90 for new ones
The proposal has 44 bipartisan cosponsors and strong support from ethics watchdogs
Nancy Pelosi reversed her opposition in 2022 after scrutiny of her husband’s stock activity
A University of Maryland poll found 70% of Republicans and 68% of Democrats support the ban
Momentum Builds to Cut Off Insider Gains
It might be the most overdue ethics reform in Washington’s history. After years of public outrage over lawmakers beating the market with uncanny accuracy, Senators Jon Ossoff and Mark Kelly have reintroduced legislation that would ban members of Congress and their immediate families from trading individual stocks. Known as the TRUST in Congress Act, the bill aims to restore public faith by limiting conflicts of interest.
Lawmakers could still invest in diversified mutual funds, ETFs, and Treasury securities. But under the proposal, they would have 180 days (or 90 for new members) to divest or place assets in blind trusts.
Certifications of compliance would be made public.
“This isn’t rocket science,” Kelly said. “The only way to stop insider trading in Congress is to stop members of Congress from trading stocks. Period.”
Watch a report: Why Congress is facing pressure to ban stock trading.
Pelosi’s Reversal Draws Scrutiny
The push has gained steam in part because of high-profile controversies—none bigger than former Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s. Once a staunch defender of lawmakers’ right to invest freely, Pelosi reversed course in 2022 amid bipartisan backlash over her husband Paul’s remarkably well-timed trades. The couple’s net worth, estimated at over $100 million, drew fresh attention to the ethical risks of stock trading while wielding legislative power.
Senator Ossoff was blunt: “Stock trading by members of Congress massively erodes public confidence and creates a serious appearance of impropriety.”
Rare Bipartisan Support
In an era of near-total gridlock, the bill’s 44 cosponsors span both parties. Representative Emanuel Cleaver, a Democrat from Missouri, co-authored the House version and likened it to rules in professional sports. “Just as we prevent athletes from betting on games,” Cleaver said, “it is common sense to ban lawmakers from investing in stocks.”
Senator Josh Hawley has introduced a similar proposal on the Republican side, and even Donald Trump has indicated he’d sign such a measure if reelected. According to a University of Maryland poll, 70% of Republicans, 68% of Democrats, and 71% of independents support a trading ban—making it one of the most popular ideas in American politics.
Despite the enthusiasm, past ethics reform efforts have often faltered. Advocates fear this could be another case of Congress talking tough while quietly protecting its own perks.
Still, the pressure is growing. With ethics scandals tarnishing trust in government, and with rare cross-aisle consensus on the issue, lawmakers may have no choice but to finally police themselves.
For once, the question isn’t whether the public wants reform—but whether Congress can resist delaying it just long enough to make a few more well-timed trades.