hold on there's just too much going on in Congress lmao...
Restricts stock trading by Members of Congress and their families.
Rep. Steil (R-WI) with over 60 co-sponsors.
Reported by committee, awaiting House vote.
This bill, introduced by Representative Bryan Steil (R-WI) and supported by numerous co-sponsors, would restrict how Members of Congress, their spouses, and dependent children can buy and sell stocks. It was reported out of the House Administration Committee and is now awaiting a vote by the full House of Representatives. This stage means it has cleared an initial hurdle but still needs broader approval to move forward.
Introduced Jan 12, 2026
The bill was introduced by Representative Steil on January 12, 2026, and referred to the Committee on House Administration. On February 3, 2026, it was reported out of committee with an amendment and placed on the Union Calendar for a vote by the full House of Representatives. For it to become law, it must pass the House, then the Senate, and finally be signed by the President.
If this bill becomes law, Members of Congress, their spouses, and dependent children would generally be prevented from purchasing individual company stocks. They would still be able to sell stocks they already own, but only after publicly announcing their intent to sell between 7 and 14 days beforehand. If these rules are broken, the Member of Congress responsible (or whose family member broke the rule) would face a fine, potentially including any profits made, and might be forced to sell the illegally purchased investments.
Supporters Say
Proponents believe this bill will increase public trust by preventing insider trading by lawmakers.
Critics Say
No specific criticisms are stated in the bill text, so I cannot invent any.
The bill's short title, "Stop Insider Trading Act," suggests its aim is to prevent Members of Congress from using their official positions for personal financial gain through stock trading, thereby enhancing public trust in government. However, the bill text itself does not include arguments from supporters or critics, so specific points of debate are not detailed here.