The business community supports a ban on congressional stock trading
UPDATE: Bipartisan Bill to Ban Congressional Stock Trading Introduced
On September 3, 2025, the House introduced the Restore Trust in Congress Act—a bipartisan consensus bill banning lawmakers from trading stocks and other assets. Business for America applauds Representatives Tim Burchett (R-TN), Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA), Pramila Jayapal (D-WA), Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL), Anna Paulina Luna (R-FL), Seth Magaziner (D-RI), Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY), Chip Roy (R-TX), and colleagues for coming together across party lines on this critical reform.
Why It Matters
When lawmakers serve as both regulator and investor, public trust and market confidence erode. Trading on privileged, non-public information is illegal on Wall Street—it should be illegal in Congress too. Restoring accountability isn’t just good governance. It’s good business.
- Private briefings for business leaders
- A letter to Congress from senior leaders in the investment community
- Direct advocacy on Capitol Hill
Add your company’s voice to a growing business coalition pushing for ethical, transparent governance. Get insider updates, policy access, and opportunities to engage directly with lawmakers.
Contact us to get involved.Representative Seth Magaziner (D-RI)
“Trust in Congress is at an all time low, but we can strengthen the integrity of our government by ensuring Members of Congress are serving their constituents and not their stock portfolios. I am proud to introduce this bipartisan, commonsense bill… so that we can hold Washington accountable to the people it serves.”
Representative Chip Roy (R-TX)
“The American people should have faith that Congress is at work for the good of the country, not for their own bank accounts… We have a long road ahead to address it this Congress, but we can and should fix the problem during this term. We have the will and the mandate of the American people to do this. Let's deliver.”
Senator Josh Hawley (R-MO)
“Americans have watched politicians earn a fortune using information not available to the general public while the average family struggles to get by. It’s just wrong. Members of Congress should be focused on delivering results for their constituents, not returns on investments. It’s time to find out where members stand."
Senator Gary Peters (D-MI)
“Americans deserve to have complete confidence that federal elected officials are working in their constituents' best interests, not their own financial interests… We are one step closer to getting this bill passed into law and finally barring bad actors from taking advantage of their positions for their own financial gain.”
About the Legislation
- Public support is overwhelming: 86% of Americans, across parties, back a ban.
- The current law is toothless: The STOCK Act (2012) requires disclosures but imposes only a $200 penalty for violations, with no prosecutions to date.
- The Restore Trust in Congress Act: Builds on years of bipartisan effort, combining provisions from multiple bills. It covers lawmakers (and their families), their assets, penalties, enforcement, and divestment requirements.
- Senate action: The HONEST Act, introduced by Senators Josh Hawley (R-MO) and Gary Peters (D-MI), advanced out of committee in July. It would extend the ban to members of Congress, the president, vice president, and spouses.
Momentum is growing: Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA), Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY), and President Trump have all signaled support.
What Business for America Supports
- Extend the ban to spouses and dependents
- Prohibit ownership and trading of individual stocks, bonds, and other securities
- Strong enforcement and penalties
- Full public disclosure
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