House Votes to Limit Stock Trading by Members of Congress

The House Approved Legislation 7/22/2026, that would Bar Members of Congress from Purchasing Individual Stocks, Advancing an Ethics Proposal that Lawmakers in both Parties have Long Championed, but repeatedly Failed to Enact. Some Democrats Sided with the Republican Majority in the 232-198 Vote that came as Lawmakers prepared to Return Home and Campaign Ahead of the Midterm Elections, with Republicans Working to Show Action on an Issue that has become a Symbol of Voter Distrust.

But the Breakthrough was tempered by Republican Provisions in the Bill, that would Exempt the President from the Trading Ban and from the Inclusion of an Unrelated Voter Identification Requirement, drawing Oposition from many Democrats. The Bill's Passage in the Senate remains Uncertain.

“This bill, quite simply, is a sham,” Rep. Joe Morelle (D-NY, 25th District), said on the House Floor ahead of the Vote. He Called the Vote a "Poison Pill” Designed to Sink the Legislation. Supporters nevertheless Hailed the Bill, known as the "Stop Insider Trading Act", as the most Significant Action yet to Restrict Stock Trades by Members of Congress.

“I had legislation that would have required divestiture. I preferred that approach,” Rep. Chip Roy (R-TX, 21st District), said. “But you got to build a coalition in a body. And I think this is a giant step forward.” Rep. Bryan Steil (R WI, 21st District), Sponsored the Legislation, called it “transformational.” Critics Argued the Legislation falls well Short of a True Stock Trading Ban, because it would let Lawmakers keep Stocks they already Own and continue Selling them.

The Bill does Not Extend to the President or Vice President. Trump (R) Disclosed in 5/2026 He made more than 3,600 Buy and Sell Orders, many of them involving Companies whose Profits have been directly Impacted by His Decisions as Head of the Government. Outside Ethics Groups said the Bill leaves Intact the very Conflicts it is meant to Address by Allowing Lawmakers to keep Existing Stock Holdings.

The Campaign Legal Center urged Congress to Reject the Measure, saying it “fails to address the two inherent problems with congressional stock ownership: the appearance of insider trading and members’ ability to profit from their official position.” Not All Republicans were on Board for the Stock Ban. Kentucky Rep. Thomas Massie (R-KY, 4th District) who was Defeated in a Primary earlier this year, by a Trump-backed Candidate, Derided Republicans for Inserting the Voter Identification Requirement.

Congressional Stock Trading has become a potent Campaign Issue as Candidates from both Parties call for Banning the Practice. The Issue has been a Fixture of Campaign Ads for several years, as Candidates seek to Tap into Voters’ Distrust of Washington. Ahead of 7/22/2026 Vote, many Republicans facing Tough Re-Election Races lined up to Speak in Favor of it.










NYC Wins When Everyone Can Vote! Michael H. Drucker