YourVoice.Now Summary
Transparency & AccountabilityMembers of Congress and their families couldn't buy stocks — and must post notice 7–14 days before selling
Transparency & Accountability
Members of Congress could not buy stock in any public company, or options and other bets on that stock. The ban reaches their spouses and dependent children, though a spouse or child could still trade for their own job or take stock as pay.
The Member would file the notice with the House Clerk or the Secretary of the Senate. It lists the planned date, what is being sold, and how many shares, and it goes on a public website right away.
The fee is $2,000 or 10% of the trade, whichever is larger. The Member also owes any profit made on the stock since taking office, and stock bought against the rules must be sold.
Members would have to pay the fee out of their own pocket. Office expense accounts and campaign donations could not be used.
A Member who resigns or retires still owing a fee could be sent to the Attorney General. The House or Senate ethics office decides whether to do that.
The ban does not cover certain broad funds, including ones focused on U.S. or home-state companies. Small business stakes are also left out, as are trusts run by an outside trustee who is not a close relative.
More about this bill
Members of Congress could no longer buy stock in public companies. The ban would also cover their spouses and dependent children. To sell stock they already own, the Member would post a public notice 7 to 14 days before the sale. The notice would list the planned sale date, what is being sold, and how many shares. It would go on a public House or Senate website. Some holdings would stay allowed. These include broad, spread-out funds, stakes in small businesses, and trusts the family cannot steer. A spouse or child could still trade as part of their own job or take stock as pay. Reinvesting dividends would be allowed too. Breaking the rules would cost at least $2,000 or 10% of the trade, whichever is more. Any profit made on the stock would be owed on top of that. Members could not pay from campaign money or office accounts. The rules would start 180 days after the bill became law.
Congressional Summary
Stop Insider Trading Act This bill generally prohibits Members of Congress and their spouses and dependent children from purchasing stocks and requires public notice before these individuals may sell stocks. Specifically, Members of Congress and the spouses and dependent children of Members may not purchase covered investments. Between 7 and 14 days before a Member or a covered spouse or dependent sells a covered investment, the relevant Member must file a public notice of the intent to sell with the Clerk of the House of Representatives or the Secretary of the Senate, as appropriate. The Clerk or Secretary must publish this notice online. If the individual decides not to sell the investment, the notice must be withdrawn. Under the bill, a covered investment is a security issued by a publicly traded company or a related instrument (e.g., a derivative). Some investments are exempt, including interest in a widely held investment fund and certain investments held in a trust. Violations of these provisions are subject to a fee and, in the case of a purchase, a requirement to sell the covered investment. The fee equals the sum of (1) the greater of $2,000 or 10% of the transaction value, and (2) any net gain from the transaction during a specified period. The fee may not be paid using campaign donations or Members’ official allowances. Certain transactions by covered spouses and dependents are exempt, including transactions made on behalf of another person or made as part of compensation from the individual’s employer.
Legislative Subjects
Details
- Congress
- 119th
- Chamber
- Senate
- Status
- summarized
- Action
- Introduced in Senate
- Action Date
- 2026-03-18
- Date Added
- 2026-09-30
- Source
- Congress.gov →
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