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House Republicans Push Bill to Curb Lawmaker Stock Trading

1/15/2026

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Summary

Story summary

On January 14, 2026, House Republicans advanced the Stop Insider Trading Act, led by Rep. Bryan Steil (R-Wis.).
The bill would bar lawmakers and their families from buying new stocks while allowing existing holdings.
It requires seven to fourteen days of public notice before selling stocks.
Critics, including Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) and Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D-WA), say the measure ignores conflicts of interest.

History

Historical Context

The Stop Trading on Congressional Knowledge (STOCK) Act, enacted on April 4, 2012, aimed to curb insider trading by Congress members, requiring them to disclose stock trades within 45 days. This legislation followed public outcry after a 2011 "60 Minutes" segment on congressional trading practices. Recent proposals, like the Stop Insider Trading Act, reflect ongoing concerns about transparency and conflicts of interest in government.

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Story summary

On January 14, 2026, House Republicans advanced the Stop Insider Trading Act, led by Rep. Bryan Steil (R-Wis.).
The bill would bar lawmakers and their families from buying new stocks while allowing existing holdings.
It requires seven to fourteen days of public notice before selling stocks.
Critics, including Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) and Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D-WA), say the measure ignores conflicts of interest.

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