Sen. Josh Hawley is once again pushing to ban members of Congress and their spouses from trading stocks while in office, a move that has gained momentum with bipartisan support and an endorsement from former President Trump.
Key Facts:
- Sen. Josh Hawley, R-Mo., reintroduced legislation Monday to ban congressional stock trading, called the “PELOSI Act.”
- The bill would bar lawmakers and their spouses from buying, selling, or holding individual stocks while in office.
- Lawmakers would still be allowed to invest in mutual funds, ETFs, or U.S. Treasury bonds.
- Violators would be forced to forfeit profits to the U.S. Treasury and could face a 10% fine on each wrongful transaction.
- President Trump said he would “absolutely” sign such a bill, and some Democrats, including House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, have voiced support.
The Rest of The Story:
Senator Josh Hawley is renewing his effort to curb stock trading in Congress by reintroducing the “PELOSI Act,” named after former Speaker Nancy Pelosi, whose financial dealings have drawn public scrutiny.
The bill would ban lawmakers and their spouses from owning or trading individual stocks while in office, though they could still invest in broad market funds and Treasury bonds.
Under Hawley’s proposal, lawmakers currently serving would have 180 days to divest or restructure their holdings.
Newly elected officials would face the same timeline upon taking office.
If they violate the ban, they must surrender any profits and face potential fines imposed by congressional ethics committees.
This latest push comes as public frustration grows over politicians appearing to profit from insider knowledge.
While the idea faced hurdles in the past, bipartisan backing is now strengthening, especially after Trump’s public promise to sign such a bill into law.
NEW: Senator Josh Hawley is bringing back the 'PELOSI Act' to BAN lawmakers from trading stocks.
Pelosi:
Annual salary: $174k- $223k
Estimated Net worth: $240 millionHow?? pic.twitter.com/nhX358mJmq
— Libs of TikTok (@libsoftiktok) April 28, 2025
Commentary:
It is almost unbelievable that, in 2025, members of Congress are still legally allowed to trade stocks while writing laws that can directly impact companies’ fortunes.
No regular American has the kind of access to insider information that lawmakers do, yet Congress has continued to protect this privilege for itself.
The idea that insider trading is illegal for everyone else but acceptable for elected officials is a glaring example of why Americans distrust Washington.
Hawley’s bill, supported even by political opponents like Hakeem Jeffries, signals that the outrage over this issue has reached a boiling point.
President Trump’s firm endorsement of a trading ban should inject real energy into the effort.
Trump rightly pointed out the public perception that former Speaker Pelosi became wealthy through stock trading tied to insider information.
His willingness to sign such legislation should encourage conservatives and independents alike to push harder for reform.
However, we must be realistic.
Congress has historically shown little appetite for passing laws that limit its own power or perks.
The ability to profit while supposedly serving the public has long been their best side hustle, and many will resist giving it up quietly.
Still, with the public’s anger growing, especially among younger voters and working families who feel the system is rigged, this could be a moment of real change.
If enough pressure mounts, lawmakers might finally be forced to choose between lining their pockets and keeping their seats.
The Bottom Line:
Senator Hawley’s renewed push to ban congressional stock trading reflects growing bipartisan support and public demand for accountability.
Former President Trump’s endorsement could add the political weight needed to move the bill forward.
While resistance inside Congress is likely, sustained public pressure could finally force meaningful reform.
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