Are Members of Congress Finally About to Ban Their Own Stock Trades?

For years, a bipartisan group of lawmakers have tried to ban stock trading for members of Congress. This year, it finally may happen.

Rob Bresnahan
Rep. Rob Bresnahan arrives for the House Republican Conference caucus meeting in the U.S. Capitol. Bill Clark/AP

As the House’s budget reconciliation fight heats up, a bipartisan group of lawmakers is quietly closer than ever to advancing its own big, beautiful bill: a congressional stock trading ban.

The effort to prevent members of Congress from using inside information to game the stock market — or at least the appearance of nefarious activity — has been in the works for years with little traction. But this term, the House’s leading progressives, conservatives and centrists are finally finding some momentum as they band together to craft legislation.

“I’m hopeful,” former Progressive Caucus Chair Rep. Pramila Jayapal told NOTUS. “I’m actually hopeful.”