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On January 12, 2026, Rep. Bryan Steil introduced the Stop Insider Trading Act — a commonsense proposal that would prohibit members of Congress from purchasing individual stocks while in office and require advance public notice before any sale. The move is a welcome break from the status quo, where too many lawmakers have managed to profit from inside access while ordinary Americans watch from the sidelines.
Under the bill, members of Congress, their spouses, and dependent children would be barred from buying publicly traded securities, and any intended stock sale would have to be publicly disclosed at least seven days — and no more than 14 days — in advance. The measure still allows investments in diversified vehicles like mutual funds and ETFs and does not force immediate divestment of existing holdings, striking a balance between transparency and reasonable expectations for people who served in the private sector.
House GOP leaders, including Speaker Mike Johnson and Majority Leader Steve Scalise, have backed the legislation as a practical way to restore trust without turning public service into a financial sacrifice. The House Administration Committee scheduled a markup for January 14, 2026, and Republicans are rightly pushing to move the bill to a floor vote so voters can see who stands for reform and who stands for business as usual.
Some on the left complain the bill doesn’t go far enough, demanding immediate divestment, but that hardline approach risks purging experienced leaders who understand markets and policy. Conservatives should be skeptical of purity tests that sound good in headlines but make public service a less viable option for those who have earned their way in the private sector.
Enforcement provisions include fines and the return of any net gains from prohibited trades — penalties that are meant to deter abuse and punish violators. Still, skeptics on both sides will watch whether enforcement is swift and real; Republicans must ensure the Ethics Office has teeth and the will to punish violations rather than paper them over.
This is about accountability and reclaiming the moral high ground in Washington. Republicans are offering a platform for transparency and common-sense reform; now it’s time to turn rhetoric into law so Americans can regain confidence in the institutions that govern them.
If Congress truly wants to prove it serves the people and not special interests, lawmakers should pass this bill quickly and enforce it fiercely. Voters deserve representatives who legislate for the public good — not ones who cash in on inside information.
