Bipartisan Senators Revive Efforts to Ban Congressional Stock Trading

A bipartisan push to ban members of Congress and their spouses from trading stocks is gaining renewed momentum, with both Democratic and Republican lawmakers introducing and supporting new legislation such as the PELOSI Act, reintroduced by Senator Josh Hawley. The effort is driven by widespread public support and concerns about lawmakers potentially profiting from non-public information, with recent polls showing overwhelming bipartisan backing for a ban. While both parties have used high-profile figures like Nancy Pelosi and Marjorie Taylor Greene to drum up support, the movement is rooted in restoring public trust in Congress, which has been eroded by repeated violations of existing ethics rules and the STOCK Act. Proposed legislation would prohibit stock trading and require lawmakers to divest or transfer their holdings within a set period, with penalties for violations. Despite growing support, House leadership has yet to commit to bringing a measure to a vote, though proponents continue to negotiate the bill's details and enforcement mechanisms. Advocates argue that passing such a ban would signal that lawmakers prioritize constituents' interests over personal financial gain.