WASHINGTON - Today, Committee on House Administration Chairman Bryan Steil (WI-01) introduced the Stop Insider Trading Act. This legislation prohibits Members of Congress, spouses, and dependent children from purchasing publicly traded stocks. The Stop Insider Trading Act also requires public notice 7 days before a lawmaker, spouse, or dependent child may sell a stock. 
 
"The American people deserve to know their Member of Congress is not profiting off insider information. The Stop Insider Trading Act ensures that cannot happen," said Chairman Steil. "This legislation is critical to restoring the public's trust in their elected officials. If you want to trade stocks, go to Wall Street, not Capitol Hill."

The Stop Insider Trading Act will:
  • Ban Members, their spouses, and their dependent children from purchasing a security issued by a publicly traded company.
  • Require Members of Congress to file a public notice at least 7 days, but no more than 14 days, in advance for each intended sale with the Clerk of the House of Representatives.
  • Require the House Ethics Committee to issue a fee equal to $2,000 or 10% of the value of the covered investment, whichever is greater, and the net gain realized from the sale.
"No member of Congress should be allowed to profit from insider information, and this legislation represents an important step in our efforts to restore the people’s faith and trust in Congress," said Speaker Mike Johnson. "Both Republicans and Democrats will have an opportunity to make their voices heard and affirm their support."

"I’ve worked closely with Chairman Steil, who has been tirelessly putting together a bill that bans stock trading by Members of Congress, and would like to move this bill for a full House vote soon after it gets out of committee," said Majority Leader Steve Scalise.

"The people should be able to trust the motives of their representatives in Congress—yet active stock trading that enriches certain members has broken that trust," said Rep. Chip Roy. "This bill is a collaborative product that takes a giant step forward to restore trust by ending stock purchases and forging pre-sale disclosure."
 
"If you’re getting rich in Congress you should get the hell out or be thrown out. Citizens struggling to make ends meet are right to be skeptical when Members of Congress outperform hedge fund managers," said Rep. Mike Lawler. "Kudos to Chairman Steil for leading the charge for reform that can pass the House and make a difference."

Some of the Stop Insider Trading Act's original cosponsors include:
  • Rep. Laurel Lee, CHA Vice Chair
  • Rep. Morgan Griffith, CHA Member
  • Rep. Stephanie Bice, CHA Member
  • Rep. Mike Carey, CHA Member
  • Rep. Mary Miller, CHA Member
  • Rep. Greg Murphy, CHA Member
  • Rep. Chip Roy
  • Rep. Anna Paulina Luna
  • Rep. Mike Lawler
  • Rep. Michael Cloud
The Wall Street Journal first broke the story, read more here.  

Catch Chairman Steil’s interview on the Stop Insider Trading Act with Mornings with Maria here. 
Background:

The STOCK Act of 2012 prohibits Members of Congress from using nonpublic information for their own financial benefit. Many Americans have become concerned that the STOCK Act is insufficient and stronger measures must be implemented.

In response, the Committee on House Administration held a hearing in November of 2025 to consider potential reforms.

Following today’s introduction of the Stop Insider Trading Act, the Committee will hold a markup to consider the legislation on Wednesday, January 14, 2026, at 10 a.m. ET. 

Read the full bill here. 

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